How Cold Is Cold? by James Aitchison

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It’s when the snow is all around,

and leaves slide silent to the ground.

It’s when the river turns to ice

and skating on it might be nice.

It’s when the soup is brimming warm

and outside stays the storm.

It’s when the birds cease their choir

and your feet are by the fire.  

Photo in Bavaria, Germany, by Ginette Pestana

The Dawn Service by James Aitchison

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A bugle in the frosty dawn,
each note hanging in the air,
then falling into silence
like the guns did, over there.

A voice recites a poem,
the vast crowd standing hushed;
every head is bowed,
every soul is touched.

Soon the men will march,
their memories aflame,
their banners held aloft,
each battle has a name.

And we who watch will know
that what we have was born
in blood and sacrifice,
on that first grim Anzac morn.

Photo from Pexels by Pixabay

Winter In The Bush by James Aitchison

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The trees are stark and bare in winter,
Mist curls around their feet.
The brooks are running fast and pooling deeply
Where the waters meet.
The sleepy twilight sends the day to flight,
And the bush slides into night.

Winter’s chill seeps down into the gorges,
And all is lost to sight.
Mountain ridges smudge the distance
In the cold grey light.
But soon enough the bush will wake to spring,
And the bellbirds’ chimes will ring.

Image from Pexels by Warren Griffiths

A Book Of Your Own by James Aitchison

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Let’s sit down and write a book,

The first line matters — it’s called the “hook”.

Then off we go with Chapter One,

The words are flowing, isn’t it fun?

The story’s building, what a great plot,

With twists and turns, it’s got the lot.

There are so many stories to tell your friends,

With exciting beginnings and happy ends!

Photo from Stockcake Free Images

Has Anyone Seen My Underpants? by James Aitchison

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My underpants are white and blue;
One day I dropped them in the loo.
I heard them gurgle down the pipe,
But couldn’t find them on my Skype.

How far, how far, will they travel?
I hope the stitches won’t unravel!
And if they’re in some spooky drain,
Will I ever see them again?

What if the sewer goes out to sea?
My underpants might reach Fiji!
Or has some big fish put them on?
I think my underpants have gone!

Image from ABC News

The Old Wreck by James Aitchison

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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