Neo-natal humankind

is ceaseless of enquiring mind.

With science and technology

the stopper’s out dynamically.

From fire to furnaced energy

from steam to electricity.

We modify genetically

and glean the stars effectively.

We can’t slow down

this gain in pace.

The fascination’s

well in place.

Much to learn,

with good intention,

drives this mother

of invention

This poem was inspired by the crayon drawing Origins of the Future by Sharon Davson.

The poem was published in the Canadian school Textbook Nelson English 10 in 2012

Peace by Piece  

The world is getting smaller

and it’s breaking into bits.

Let’s put it back together

peace by piece

the puzzle fits.

Repairs can all be tended

by the tiniest of friends.

As working altogether

peace by piece

the puzzle mends.

This poem was inspired by the painting Together We Can by Sharon Davson.

The poem was published in the Malaysian school textbook English Form 1 by Pelangi Books in 2016

The Beauty of it All

All we can touch, and all we see

began in cosmic history.

How long ago came things to be?

Perhaps it was infinity.

All our surroundings hold in store

the clues to what has gone before.

A fascination long prevails

to understand time’s every tale.

Our tiny Earth holds precious gifts

as through the universe it drifts.

With organisms varied, rife,

are we alone in having life?

This special form of energy

enduring in its frailty,

bestows such beauty, all admired,

intelligence is awe-inspired.

This poems was inspired by the painting Called Away by Sharon Davson.

The image and poem were published in the Australian school textbook Macmillan English 7  in 2011

A group of giraffes 

is called a tower.

Each day, they sleep 

for less than an hour.

They’ll munch on leaves 

from acacia trees,

while ear-flicking flies 

in savannah’s breeze,

reaching up high 

with grace and ease …

giraffes shouldn’t need 

to climb those trees!

Celia Berrell

A recent rain

to quench and share.

A cloudless night

to cool the air.

The slightest breeze

to chill on cue

the grass and leaves.

Here comes the dew.

The stage is set

for dawn’s sensation.

Jewel-studded

condensation.

Blanket-strewn

on grassy stems

are rainbow-sparkling

water gems.

first published in CSIRO’s Scientriffic magazine No 85, July 2013

My Wish  

Oftentimes, I wish that I,

like many, could impart

some wondrous words,

some hopes, some schemes,

escaping from my heart.

We’re 10cc’s of water and

although the Earth’s our base

we recently went travelling

up there – in outer space.

An astronaut had drunk us

just before his rocket ride.

And so we were the stowaways

that hid in his insides.

Meeting different molecules

we made a lot of friends.

With some we only mingled

while with others we held hands.

While staying in the astronaut

we all kept nice and warm

and floated round inside him and

explored his body’s form.

Eventually he moved us out.

So off we raced in glee.

With other friends I think we were

all classified as pee.

We found ourselves inside a box

with membrane walls all new.

Its holes were just the perfect size

for water to get through.

We said goodbye to all our friends

as they were far too fat

to wriggle through those membrane walls

and join us for a chat.

Now squeaky clean we hung around

inside some holding pen.

Until we found ourselves inside

the astronaut again!

The Garden Within

There is a garden in my heart

where beauty grows in fits and starts.

Where smiles are petals from the flowers

bestowed by others from their bowers.

Nutritious hope reaps seeds to feed

my spirit for its every need.

With gratitude I’ll reach my goal

and touch the island of my soul.