Tag Archives: Pat Simmons

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Trim

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

Pat said: ‘Trim’ is a special poem for me as it was the first poem I ever had published for which I was paid! Thank you Alphabet Soup which at that time was  a magazine as well as a great online resource.

 

Poem of the Day

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Woops!

There once was a poor ballerina

Whose blue tutu was often much cleaner

But she munched on a biscuit

A blunder to risk it

A Tim-Tam, a small misdemeanour.

 

Pat Simmons
  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #17

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Portrait of a Puddle

I can tell you about the weather.

Am I growing or shrinking?

 

I can show you how a paper boat floats,

and be a mirror for your smiling face.

 

I can be a drink for a thirsty bird,

or a short slurp for a cat on the prowl.

 

I can annoy new shoes,

but splashing gum boots love me.

 

I can be a short stay hostel

for tadpoles or mozzie larvae.

 

I can be temporary and tempting.

 

I have possibilities and potential.

 

I am a puddle.

 

Pat Simmons
  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #11

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Fancy Dress

A Halloween party was held near the creek.

Preparing the costumes took almost a week.

Several koalas in purple were cloaked.

A curled up echidna was prodded and poked

into a hollowed out pumpkin shell, where

she peacefully slept and was quite unaware

that first prize went to platypus dressed in his skin.

No costume was needed for this guy to win.

 

Pat Simmons
  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #9

poetry-prompt-9

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A Letter from the Principal

Dear Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith,

I’m writing you this letter

because your son’s behaviour

isn’t getting any better.

 

His writing is untidy and

his spelling is a worry.

He’s often late and consequently,

always in a hurry.

 

His recent science project

nearly caused a school disaster.

The explosion covered twenty boys

in clouds of ceiling plaster.

 

He’s been with us for twenty years,

or is it twenty two?

Dear Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith,

just what are we to do?

 

He’s untidy and he’s silly

and he always acts the fool,

but still the students say he’s

the best teacher in our school.

Pat Simmons
  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #4

poetry-prompt-4

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The Visit

Cautiously, 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 breathe

we slowly, gently, push it open.

Beneath the twinkling lights

sit the gifts.

‘He’s been,’ we whisper

‘He’s been.’

Pat Simmons

(Published 2014 by Celapene Press, Short and Twisted and Thynks Publications Bards at Blidworth and Beyond Anthology)

  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #49

poetry-prompt-48

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A 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.

Pat Simmons
  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #42

Prompt5

 

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Clowning Around

 

A clown with a cauliflower ear

Decided that he would appear

In a colander hat

With a cute climbing cat.

But the cat said

‘Not likely my dear.’

Pat Simmons
  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #36

Poetry Prompt #36

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Mr Pickle’s Pet Shop

At Mr Pickle’s pet shop the choice is quite extensive.

It’s mystical and magical and not at all expensive.

Meet hairy dogs and scary dogs and one that yawns and yawns.

And playing in a nearby cage meet baby unicorns.

Meet fluffy cats and scruffy cats and one that’s always smiling.

Descended from a Cheshire cat, she really is beguiling.

 

At Mr Pickle’s pet shop the choice is quite extensive.

It’s wacky, weird and wonderful and not at all expensive.

Sitting in a large top hat, magicians’ rabbits wait.

One elegant white rabbit keeps insisting that he’s late.

Meet brown rats, black rats and some you can’t approach.

One claims a distant relative pulled Cinderella’s coach.

 

At Mr Pickle’s pet shop the choice is quite extensive.

It’s awesome and amazing and it’s not at all expensive.

Meet scowling owls and sleeping owls perched in a plastic tree.

There’s one that winks at pussy cats. He’d like to go to sea.

Meet blind mice, Miami mice and mice who have no tails.

They run and squeak, play hide and seek and terrify the quails.

 

At Mr Pickle’s pet shop the choice is quite extensive.

It’s curious, chaotic and it’s not at all expensive.

Meet rare, red romping dragons. No one’s quite sure of their ages.

But Mr Pickle says they MUST be kept in fireproof cages.

Meet fruit bats, cute bats, a vampire bat called Guzzle.

And just in case he misbehaves, he has to wear a muzzle.

 

At Mr Pickle’s pet shop the choice is quite extensive.

It’s bold, bizarre and beautiful and not at all expensive.

Meet frogs who change to princes if they receive a kiss.

Meet friendly bugs who give you hugs and snakes who simply hiss.

If you deserve a special pet to tell your troubles to,

Please visit Mr Pickle’s shop and tell him I sent you.

 

At Mr Pickle’s pet shop the choice is quite extensive.

It’s fabulous and fanciful and not at all expensive.

Pat Simmons
First published by Thynks Publications in their anthology 50 Funny Poems for Children.
  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #32

poetry prompt #32

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Buccaneer Tucker

A basin of broccoli served up for tea

Is not what a young buccaneer wants to see.

His diet should be balanced when pillaging ships,

But he’d much prefer ice cream and lots of hot chips.

Pat Simmons
  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #29

Poetry Prompt #29