Eyes now closed,
here I lie
imagining things
within my mind’s eye.
A giant glass marble
with aqua swirls
that turns into
our tiny world
against a backdrop
of deep-dark space …
then next appears
your smiling face!
And guess what’s even crazier?
A thing called aphantasia.
Some people, even though they try,
simply don’t have a vivid mind’s eye.
Poem inspired from August picture prompt. Artwork: STARING AT CLOUDS by Jennifer Barrand
If we could float in a paper boat,
we’d rock and bob on the turquoise sea,
I would sing for you in Imaginese
so painted whales rise from the deep.
If we could float in a paper boat,
I’d call flotillas of butterflies
to flutter and bumble across the sky
past clouds where dreamy creatures fly.
Could you imagine this was true?
This is what I wish we’d do.
IMAGINE THIS by Jeanette Swan
Artwork: YOU ARE HERE by Hayley Gillespie
Butterflies all flutter by,
On soft and gentle breeze.
They float like clouds in deep blue sky,
Like leaves falling from trees.
If I could be a butterfly,
Up high within the air,
What could I see on land below?
How would I feel up there?
Would I wave “Hi” to all the birds,
As they fly on their way?
Would I hear what the wind whispers,
To trees that bend and sway?
Would I see all the animals,
On farms and roaming free?
Would I see fish, or whales even,
In lakes, rivers and sea?
Would I look down and see myself,
With smile upon my face,
And know my dreams can take me there,
To every happy place?
Take Me There by Rod Loader
Artwork: YOU ARE HERE by Hayley Gillespie
Shelves lined with books
different sizes and colours
each individually categorized
an order allowing one to find
what they are searching for.
But the magic is
what lies within the covers
pages neatly typed
creating a story.
Books that share or expose
an autobiography
others containing facts
documented, written for all
who wish to read them.
Novels filled with imagination
taking a reader to another world
where they can be lost and escape
the one they live in.
Romance which gives one hope
or despair
fiction taking us to the edge
and murder mysteries
which keep us guessing.
Picture books that satisfy those
who don’t want many words
and children’s books
that delve into imagination
of characters who don’t exist
outside the pages.
So many books to choose from
with individual appeal
all works of art in their own way
with Authors’ proud
presenting a cacophony of ideas
mounted on multiple shelves
in this distinguished building
which houses a library.
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
My nose is buried in a book,
as I read from cover to cover,
and with every line I read,
new things I discover.
Each word makes a picture,
each picture fires my brain —
it’s such a great adventure,
how can I explain?
One day I will write a book
and everyone will read it —
an author I am going to be,
and you’d best believe it!
Image from Pexels by Min An
It looks like just
a ruined boat,
but what if we
could make it float?
We’d sail downriver
and out to sea,
with a yo-ho-ho,
my friends and me.
I’d be captain,
they’d be crew,
so they’d do what
I told them to.
We’d sail to China,
and then Peru,
on our own boat
on the ocean blue.
Old ship in Marlborough Sound, New Zealand. Photo by Ginette Pestana
Boots and bags and belts and braces;
slip-on shoes without any laces
hats with feather, coats with cuffs;
stripey socks and velvet gloves.
Shiny waistcoats, tall top hats;
onesies, boxers, baseball caps;
bracelets, bangles, silver pearls
scarves in patterns; scarves in swirls.
Woolly jackets, pants with spots;
petticoats and purple socks;
Skirts with zippers, skirts that flair;
Shirts with circles; shirts with squares.
Choose an outfit; match a hat.
Strike a pose! This or that?
Choose to be whatever you please
Magic, mayhem, make believe!
Image from Pexels by Ksenia Chernaya
One day, as part of my ongoing plan
I’ll surf in Hawaii and ski in Japan.
I’ll hike in the Andes, I’ll cycle through Spain
I’ll jet round the world in my own private plane.
I’ll go on safari, see rhinos, gazelles.
I’ll hop off to Venice and ride its canals.
I’ll sit in a rocket and head for the stars,
I’ll travel to Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.
One day of mine will be truly unique
but what should I do for the rest of that week?
In the land of dreams,
All is not what it seems.
For no world is perfect.
You see, not even in the most beautiful imaginary places.
Lurking in the dark are sharks.
Ready to invade the place of great beauty,
To steal some of that sunshine away.
You see, sharks are drawn to beautiful imaginary places.
Best to turn on the light,
And cast the shadows aside.
Let the beauty sparkle in a golden glow.
You see, even the shadows are in beautiful imaginary places.
Let the sun shine and sparkle,
Casting all the dark shadows aside.
Then the stunning beauty can shimmer in all its glory.
You see, goodness and happiness are found in beautiful imaginary places.
When you allow them to glow.
Yesterday
I was a golden dragon
The kiss of grasses brushed my ankles
And then I rose into the sky
Where I cavorted at first
Then drifted
brushing the clouds,
a wondrous lilting shape that those below
beheld with awe.
Gold and crimson I lapped the world
like a god commanding
everything
and everyone
all things revolved around me
I owned the day
Shattered it with my beauty
And my gigantic roar.
Today
yesterday was a dream
and now I am but a mere child
my mother standing over me
with her many demands
I must obey.
Australian Children’s Poetry 