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Tag Archives: Pat Simmons
“A Scorpion’s Search” by Pat Simmons
Leave a commentA Scorpion’s Search
A scorpion christened Cruella, left home to search for a fella.
She sifted through sand and she searched under slate.
She peered under pebbles to look for a mate.
She reached under rocks and she gazed at the ground but a masculine mini beast couldn’t be found.
Cruella, poor creature, was filled with despair.
There had to be someone who loved her out there.
But wait! She heard rustling and spotted the cause.
From a burrow appeared some spectacular claws.
They belonged to a sumptuous scorpion male.
What glorious eyes, and that sting in his tail!
It was love at first sight for Cruella and friend,
Which is how satisfactory quests all should end.
“Twiggy” by Pat Simmons
Leave a commentTwiggy
Stick insects are so very thin
Yet still insist on shedding skin
And even when they grow much bigger
Will maintain their sylph-like figure.
“Sally’s Treasure” by Pat Simmons
Leave a commentSally’s Treasure
Sally McPhee’s a collector of keys.
She keeps them concealed in a drawer.
Some she has found just lying around.
But several she stole from next door.
She has keys that fit windows
and keys for the shed.
She’s got keys for a diary
she hasn’t yet read.
She has keys for a money box
owned by her brother.
And keys for the Volvo,
She has keys for a tool box,
her father’s great treasure.
To see him in search mode
gives Sally such pleasure.
She has keys that are ancient
and keys that are new.
Well, people are careless,
that’s Miss Sally’s view.
Sally McPhee’s a collector of keys.
She keeps them concealed in a drawer.
Her intention is clear.
That year after year,
she’s going to collect hundreds more.
Teacher Notes: by Jeanie Axton
What are the keys to engage children with poetry?
Check out this site especially the “Ten Top Tips to Engage Kids with Poetry”
https://www.thebookchook.com/2014/04/ten-top-tips-to-engage-kids-with-poetry.html
There is even a link to The Australian Children’s Poetry website.
Trim by Pat Simmons
Leave a commentTrim
I’m a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
I was born on the Reliance in 1799.
Of all my mother’s kittens
I was the one most fine.
I’m a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
I have four snow-white paws
And a white star on my chest.
Of all the cats on board this ship
The sailors like me best.
I’m a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
When it’s time for dinner
I don’t eat with other cats.
I sit at table with the men.
I don’t care for rats.
I’m a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
I have a trusty friend
And Matthew Flinders is his name.
He has called me Trim.
I think together we’ll find fame.
I’m a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
Matthew is a clever man
He’s sailed all round this land.
He’s given it a name
And that’s Australia – how grand.
Perhaps you have a cat at home
Is it as fine as me?
Would it like to come aboard
And sail upon the sea?
With a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
Pat Simmons
A Goat Afloat by Pat Simmons
Leave a commentA Goat Afloat
I wear a silver collar, I’m a rather special goat.
Hooves firmly planted on the ground, but once I was afloat.
‘A goat afloat?’ I hear you say.
It’s true. Ask Captain Cook.
Twice I’ve sailed around the world.
I’d like to write a book
Called
Memoirs of my life at sea
Jottings by a goat
The good the bad the ugly facts
Of life upon a boat.
Well, all right, ships,
Let’s get it right
Named
Dolphin and Endeavour
And with respect, I must say this,
I really hope I never set hoof again on either one.
Three years was long enough.
Giving milk for all that time quite frankly dears was tough.
Smelly sheep and smelly hens, smelly cattle too,
Smelly cats and smelly dogs
And very smelly crew.
Snow and storms and slippery decks, fresh grass in short supply.
No other goats for company to help the time pass by.
But now I’m home and quite well known
(My story’s in the press)
Enjoying my retirement, free from stormy seas and stress.
I wear a silver collar, I’m a rather special goat.
Hooves firmly planted on the ground, but once I was afloat.
Pat Simmons
The Visit by Pat Simmons
Leave a commentCautiously, creeping down the stairs,
carefully avoiding the creaks,
we stop
and take each other’s hand.
At the bottom we tiptoe,
trembling,
towards the door.
Almost afraid to breath
we slowly, gently, push it open.
Beneath the twinkling lights
sit the gifts.
‘He’s been,’ we whisper
‘He’s been.’
(Published 2014 by Celapene Press, Short and Twisted and Thynks Publications Bards at Blidworth and Beyond Anthology of Poems)
A Tribute to “Trim” Matthew Flinders’ Cat by Pat Simmons
Leave a commentTrim
I’m a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
I was born on the Reliance in 1799.
Of all my mother’s kittens
I was the one most fine.
I’m a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
I have four snow-white paws
And a white star on my chest.
Of all the cats on board this ship
The sailors like me best.
I’m a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
When it’s time for dinner
I don’t eat with other cats.
I sit at table with the men.
I don’t care for rats.
I’m a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
I have a trusty friend
And Matthew Flinders is his name.
He has called me Trim.
I think together we’ll find fame.
I’m a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
Matthew is a clever man
He’s sailed all round this land.
He’s given it a name
And that’s Australia – how grand.
Perhaps you have a cat at home
Is it as fine as me?
Would it like to come aboard
And sail upon the sea?
With a black cat
A special cat
A ship’s cat.
–
Pat Simmons
A Goat Afloat by Pat Simmons
Leave a commentA Goat Afloat
I wear a silver collar, I’m a rather special goat.
Hooves firmly planted on the ground, but once I was afloat.
‘A goat afloat?’ I hear you say.
It’s true. Ask Captain Cook.
Twice I’ve sailed around the world.
I’d like to write a book
Called
Memoirs of my life at sea
Jottings by a goat
The good the bad the ugly facts
Of life upon a boat.
Well, all right, ships,
Let’s get it right
Named
Dolphin and Endeavour
And with respect, I must say this,
I really hope I never set hoof again on either one.
Three years was long enough.
Giving milk for all that time quite frankly dears was tough.
Smelly sheep and smelly hens, smelly cattle too,
Smelly cats and smelly dogs
And very smelly crew.
Snow and storms and slippery decks, fresh grass in short supply.
No other goats for company to help the time pass by.
But now I’m home and quite well known
(My story’s in the press)
Enjoying my retirement, free from stormy seas and stress.
I wear a silver collar, I’m a rather special goat.
Hooves firmly planted on the ground, but once I was afloat.
Australian Children’s Poetry 