Holiday Time
by Kate O’Neil
It’s summer
and it’s holiday.
The morning is
so big
it’s going to last
all afternoon
and the night
will have to go
home.
Tag Archives: Kate O’Neil
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentGargoyle Guile
Kate O’Neil
Like it or not
I am glued to this spot,
left in the lurch
on a perilous perch
exposed to all weathers,
bird-bombs and feathers,
no shelter at night,
a face like a fright,
with a monstrous chin
and a phony grin
that’s just an excuse,
a ridiculous ruse
for making a drain
to spew out the rain
away from the wall
of this cold stone hall.
Day in and day out
I do nothing but spout
the run-off and grime
and the muck and the slime
from up on this roof –
I feel such a goof.
In fact, I’m offended
at being wrong-ended
with backward digestion –
so here’s a suggestion:
if means could be found
to turn me around
I could hide my face
from the human race
and I wouldn’t need words –
I’d behave like the birds
and the message I’d send
would be through my rear end.
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentScribbly Gums
by Kate O’Neil
The scribbly gum is a eucalyptus tree with a very smooth, pale trunk. The distinctive brownish ‘scribbles’ are made by the larvae of the tiny scribbly moth.
Tall custodians of scribbled mysteries,
What can you tell us, silent trees?
What tunnelling scribes find sanctuary
within this covert library?
Mere larvae, small but diligent,
whose little lives are wholly spent
to leave these ciphers in your care
’til later times reveal them there.
What is the urgent need that drives
this tracery of transient lives?
What are the messages layered here
in darkness? Why, year after year
do you allow these prophets in?
Is there an itch beneath your skin?
Are you, tall gums, merely content
to give their need your nourishment?
Or do your lives and theirs conspire
to keep these riddles from our eye
’til when these poets take their leave,
you wear their heartsongs on your sleeve?
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentBarefoot
by Kate O’Neil
Days are longer. Getting warmer.
Sun is higher overhead.
Restless toes begin their twitching.
Barefoot days not far ahead.
At last December comes around.
Summer holidays are here.
That’s when toes come out to play.
That’s the time when feet go bare.
Let’s all run across the grass.
But do look out for bindi eyes.
Ow! Ow! Ouch! They’re everywhere.
Hear our barefoot bindi cries.
Watch us dance the bindi ballet
Quick steps, big steps on our toes.
Hidden prickles keep us leaping
if we step where bindi grows.
Best of all are barefoot beach-days
racing on the summer sand.
Ow! It’s hot! Run to the water.
Run to the edge. Whew! See us stand
doing the barefoot wet-sand wiggle.
See us sink on toes that squirm
down through clouds of sand and shells,
ankles wrapped in swirling foam.
Barefoot days pass far too quickly.
Back-to-school time soon comes round.
But think how much our feet are learning
walking barefoot on the ground.
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentPrima Donna Chooses a Pet
by Kate O’Neil
Someone said Celebrity News
wants to know what pet I’ll choose.
And since my choice will start a trend
around the world, my choice of friend
will take some very careful thought.
“A pet’s for life” is what we’re taught.
I’ve never liked domestic cats.
They have a guilty look – and that’s
because they slink too much. They move
too shiftily. Which goes to prove
they’re up to something. On the prowl.
And then at night… You’ve heard them howl!
They even make a yowling noise
when they want food or milk or toys.
And after these appalling rages
they eat, then slump, and sleep for ages.
Where’s the fun in that? I ask.
So now I’ve set myself the task
of looking for a better pet.
And, first things first, I’d like to get
a handsome one with stylish air
(to complement my fashion flair).
And then of course I think it should
be most adoring, loyal and good.
I’d like it to have attitude
but not too much – which would exclude
that other pest, the talking bird.
You won’t believe the things I’ve heard
some parrots say. They’ve got a cheek.
I tell them straight, “Go wash your beak
out. Use the soap, and don’t you ever
say such words again. No never.”
I simply wouldn’t take that risk.
I do like baby things that frisk,
like puppies, lambs and foals and such,
But when they’re older, not so much-
not when they lose that joyful spring.
And yes –there is another thing –
I like a pet that’s always clean,
So… maybe goldfish? I have seen
some gorgeous frilly ones. But no,
I’d like a pet who’ll join my show
and share the limelight. If it’s mine
it must be dazzling. It should shine
and be a star as bright as me.
Do you know what my pet should be?
Pardon? What would you suggest?
Do tell me what you think is best.
You think the wisest choice for me
is a large pet rock! Well, mission done
IF I can choose a diamond one.
How right you are. And for my part
I’ll love that rock with all my heart.
I’ll take it everywhere with me
and show it off for all to see.
How good of you to recommend
the perfect pet, a girl’s best friend.
Poem of the Day
Leave a commentThe Yarn of Shaun the Sheep
Two Tasmanian farmers have found what they hope to prove is the world’s woolliest sheep. They believe it has been wandering wild for six years and never been shorn.
Peter and Netty Hazell discovered the animal, nicknamed Shaun, wandering on their farm and decided to take him in.
You ought to hear the yarn the folks are spinning
now the news is out both far and wide
about the Tassie wonder from down-under –
our Shaun the Sheep, the nation’s woolly pride.
Now Shaun was just a lamb six years ago
when fire came blazing near his eastern farm
and Shaun thought “Yikes! It’s time to do a runner.
If I stay put I’m sure to come to harm.”
So off he went to wander through the mountains
and live a lonesome life beneath the trees.
He didn’t fancy staying to be roasted.
He thought the better option was to freeze.
But no, he didn’t freeze. His woolly fleece
grew thicker by the day as he went west
and Shaun the Sheep became a walking doona
(a first-rate one – merino at its best).
and as the days and months and years went by
that fleece became so big it swallowed Shaun.
But then it chanced that Pete and Netty Hazell
were driving in their ute one autumn morn
and saw that fleece – or was it someone’s doona? –
abandoned in a hedge beyond the road.
They went to have a look. The doona bleated.
“Hey Pete! There’s something living in this load!”
Then sure enough they saw that doona move.
And as these folks were kind and tender-hearted
they took the creature home to sort it out,
and since that day the three have not been parted.
For Shaun the Sheep has learnt to live in style
and changed his name to Shaun the Superstar,
for Shaun was shorn and now he is a legend.
That fleece of his is famous near and far.
The Aussie owners say his wool is destined
to make at least three jumpers – superfine.
But if you check what’s told around the campfires
you’ll find an even better story-line.
It seems that in that famous Aussie fleece
there lurks a kind of magic super-power
and like a certain Aussie magic pudding
it keeps on growing bigger by the hour.
The latest count is now at thirty-five
new woolly garments! Now do you suppose
that yarn could make (if someone keeps on spinning)
the right stuff for an emperor’s new clothes?
© Kate O’neil
Friday update
Leave a commentJust advising you of new information and links that have been added to the site pages this week.
- Passion for Poetry and Delight in Communication. Edel Wignell interviews Dr Stephen Whiteside
Please remember to check the Competitions page for ‘fast approaching’ deadlines.
New competitions have been added:
- Children’s Poetry Anthology on Food and Agriculture – submission deadline: 14 June 2014
- Peace Train Poetry Festival – submission deadline 30 June 2014
To view all the competitions just click on the ‘Competitions’ title to view listings on the one page. Competitions are listed in order of their deadline date.
If you are interested in an interview with the well-known ‘peace poet’, Professor Ada Aharoni, click on the interview link here: https://australianchildrenspoetry.com.au/interviews/peace-poet-ada-aharoni/
New links have been added here: https://australianchildrenspoetry.com.au/links/new-links/
Two poet bios have been added to our growing list of talented Australian poets.
All listed poets can be viewed here or via the drop down menu (Poets A-Z).
That’s it for this week’s updates.
Australian Children’s Poetry 