Born in the ranges
where horses run free,
tumbling and chasing
its way to the sea.
Fed by the snows,
broadening now,
no shadow or cloud
its waters allow.
The great Snowy River,
watched by this tree,
sweeps on to victory
and enters the sea.
Tag Archives: James Aitchison
What Will The New Year Be? by James Aitchison
Leave a commentI wonder what the New Year will bring,
What games we’ll play and songs we’ll sing?
Will it be shiny and full of fun,
Will it look after everyone?
Will it be hopeful for every race,
Will I live it full of faith?
I think the New Year is up to me:
I’ll make it the year I want it to be!
My Wish For Christmas Day by James Aitchison
Leave a commentI want a better world this Christmas,
where wars and famine end,
where light and laughter banish darkness,
where everyone’s a friend.
Instead of tinsel I’d like trust,
where fear has gone away.
And no one has to go without,
this year on Christmas day.
It’s Time to Shine at Christmas Time by James Aitchison
Leave a commentIt’s time to give — and forgive,
Time to put those fights aside.
Time to hold your friendships close,
Time to show you shine inside.
It’s time for second chances,
Time to show the best of you.
But why just shine at Christmas?
You can shine the whole year through.
Share and Share Alike by James Aitchison
Leave a commentThere’s plenty here for everyone
so peck away in peace,
no need to squawk and squabble,
all fighting has to cease!
There’s lots of seed for any bird
who flies in day or night;
so use your beak to pick up food
and not to pick a fight.
The Curious Clock by James Aitchison
Leave a commentI saw a curious clock
built into a wall.
It made me very curious
seeing such a clock at all.
Now, I don’t know
what’s behind it,
and I don’t know
how they wind it!
I know it’s been up there
for many, many years,
And when I heard it chime,
it was music to my ears.
Teacher’s note: Discuss the adjective “curious” with students. It can mean (1) eager to know or learn something, as well as (2) strange or unusual.
All Those Steps! by James Aitchison
Leave a commentWe’ll run down swiftly to the beach
and jump into the sea,
where rolling waves will cool us down —
we’ll stay till half past three!
But when it’s time to pack and go,
you’ll hear us groaning then —
climbing up all those steps
will make us hot again!
Artificial Intelligence by James Aitchison
Leave a commentIt’s all the rage,
the latest thing,
artificial intelligence.
But I don’t care,
because for me
it hasn’t any relevance!
My intelligence
is very real,
and lives inside my brain.
It’s not artificial,
and that’s official,
and it works again and again!
My Fun House by James Aitchison
Leave a commentOne day I’m going to build a house
with cheery yellow candy.
I’ll put ice creams on the roof,
and fruit gums nice and handy.
Then I’ll add two cup cakes,
with lollypops galore,
liquorice allsorts in the corners,
and chocolates by the door.
Teacher’s note: This house can be found in the storybook corner of the Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin.
The Good Emu by James Aitchison
Leave a commentThis emu is fine,
obeying the sign,
doing no more than forty.
To run any faster
could spell disaster
and would be very naughty.
Teacher’s note: This photo was captured near Wilsons Promontory where many emus roam in the wild.
Australian Children’s Poetry 