A flitting moment
It settles on a daisy head
and spreads its wings apart.
This butterfly, it must be said
is quite a work of art.
Colours rich and patterns rife,
a mini Persian rug.
To think it started out in life
an ugly little bug.
Jenny Erlanger
Tag Archives: Jenny Erlanger
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentDirections
I don’t think my brain has been properly packed.
I’m missing some vital connection.
My other five senses may well be intact
but I’m missing a sense of direction.
I can’t name the cities that lie to the south,
I can’t tell the east from the west.
I start to get nervous and dry in the mouth
when I sit a geography test.
So if you are after directions from me
dismiss the idea from your head,
unless on your trip from town A to town B
you’re prepared for a stop-off at Z.
Jenny Erlanger
First published in “Giggles and Niggles” (Haddington Press, 2007)
- Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #18
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentYesterday
Yesterday today was just a thought inside my head.
Yesterday today was my tomorrow.
Tomorrow this today will be my yesterday instead.
And so it goes for all the days that follow.
Jenny Erlanger
- Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #14
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentAm I a poet?
by Jenny Erlanger
Today we had to write a poem
and so I took the time
to think of all the words I could
that sound as if they rhyme.
The teacher said, “Don’t worry
finding special words to fit,”
then read us out a funny poem
that didn’t rhyme a bit.
So then I worked at trying to rid
the rhyming from my head,
to concentrate on verse
that didn’t rhyme at all instead.
At first I didn’t have a hope,
the rhymes kept coming back
but I tried really hard
and wrote the poem
you’re reading now,
but somehow
it just doesn’t
sound right.
- Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #5
Jenny says: Writing rhyming poetry has played such a big part of my life since childhood, that despite my own efforts to break out of the mold at times, I keep returning to it as a means of self-expression.
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentBehind the scenes
by Jenny Erlanger
We cannot see or hear them,
yet we know when each arrives.
We love them, hate or fear them
as we stumble through our lives.
They fire away like crazy
somewhere deep inside our brain.
They prod us when we’re lazy,
get us back on track again.
They don’t ask for permission
from the moment that we wake
to set out on their mission
to control the moves we make.
It may not live an hour
as its life is pretty short
but there’s no denying the power
of a solitary thought.
- Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #6
Jenny says: I have always been fascinated by the capacity of a seemingly immaterial thought to create physical or emotional responses in human beings.
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentMagic making
by Jenny Erlanger
Half a slug, a beetle’s bum,
a spoon of slime, a cup of scum,
a centipede, a rotten plum,
my special, magic tea.
A final pinch of possum poo
and that completes my witch’s brew
but as to what this brew will do…
Here, try some and we’ll see.
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentArrivals and departures
by Jenny Erlanger
You’ll soon be walking through that door.
I can’t stay still a moment more.
I’m racing up and down the floor.
Can’t wait to say hello!
I’m here again with teary eyes
as everybody hugs and cries.
The air is filled with sad goodbyes.
Can’t stand to see you go!
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentFavourites
by Jenny Erlanger
You might like the Crunchie, an excellent pick,
this miniature, choc-coated honeycomb brick
or what about something the colour of cream?
If that’s sounding tempting, then try out the Dream.
There’s Dairy Milk, Picnic and Mint Bubbly too,
all of them sitting here waiting for you.
If fruit mixed with coconut’s what you like best
the Cherry Ripe option is what I’d suggest.
There’s smooth Caramello and crumbling Flake.
It’s not such an easy decision to make.
This might be the last time we’re offered such treats.
You’d better choose wisely from all of these sweets.
But just let me warn you, we don’t want a fight.
So stay right away from that Turkish Delight!
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentA huge mistake
By Jenny Erlanger
I’ve taken our rubbish bins out to the street.
I’ve helped wash and vacuum the car.
My bedroom is finally looking as neat
as all of the other rooms are.
I’ve weeded the garden, the front and the back.
I’ve cut up the veggies for tea.
I’ve dried all the dishes Mum left in the rack
and now I’m as tired as can be.
I’ve brought in the clothes ’cause it’s going to rain,
I think I deserve a reward.
I made a mistake when I chose to complain
of feeling so terribly bored!
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentHouse of germs
by Jenny Erlanger
Dad’s got a fever, he’s dripping with sweat.
Mum’s got a virus, the worst you can get.
Buster keeps coughing, we’re calling the vet.
And I’m stuck in the house for the day!
My brother’s come down with the nastiest flu,
my sister’s been chucking for hours in the loo.
the cat has been constantly vomiting too.
Could you please come around for a play?
Australian Children’s Poetry 