Little square shapes and fancy, round twirls;
nestled in boxes with ribbons in swirls;
joined in arrays like crossword puzzles;
sprinkled with cocoa and formed into truffles;
rolled in nuts and melted on sticks;
soft, creamy centres with crunchy bits;
shaped into rabbits, koalas and frogs;
poured into moulds and rolled into logs.
Chocolate, oh chocolate, so delicious, so sweet!
Pull off the wrapper! Come on, let’s eat!
Image from Pexels
Perspicacious parrots prance along the parapet, peering at the people, perambulating past.
Chattering and chortling, chomping and chewing, chirping and chanting, charming and choice
What a wealth of whistlers! What a world of warblers! Whimsical and wondrous!
Fly forever free!
Image from Pixabay
There are games and pranks and jokes and larks.
There are funny looks and odd remarks,
comical lines and witty asides.
It’s always good to see the funny side.
A giggle, a snicker, a hoot, a guffaw –
these are the sounds we enjoy and applaud.
We fall about laughing; we roll in the aisle.
We double up, chortle, snigger and smile.
So, here’s to laughter; here’s to fun,
to witticisms, gags, jests and puns.
When things look grey and not too bright,
we can always look for the funny side.
World Laughter Day by Pauline Cleary
Image from Pixabay
Autumn days draw in, moist and misty,
evening air, heavy with waiting.
Leaves, fragile as angel’s wings,
tremble, poised for release,
fluttering downward,
golden shimmers,
fiery red,
reaching
earth.
Image from Pixabay
Come on down to the library.
It’s sure to be lots of fun.
The staff are, oh so friendly
and there is something for everyone.
There are books to read, magazines to browse,
audio, ebooks too;
computers, ipads and movies;
jigsaws to swap and do.
Toddlers join in rhyme-time.
Adults play cards and chat.
There’s a book discussion group up the front.
It’s tech time down the back.
The chess group are silent and focused.
The craft people share ideas.
In the meeting room, the history group
pores newspapers from past years.
The seed library opens Saturdays;
English conversation group, the same day;
after- school club on Tuesdays –
with lego and games to play.
Come on down to the library,
It’s sure to be lots of fun.
There’s always so much happening
and a welcome for everyone.
Image from Pixabay
Houses strung with sparkly lights;
Carols echoing through the night;
A star atop a special tree;
That’s what Christmas means to me.
Santa, stockings, secret lists;
Whispered plans and secret gifts;
Glittering lights upon the tree;
That’s what Christmas means to me.
Baubles, lanterns, tinsel strings;
Elves on shelves and bells that ring;
Presents ready near the tree;
That’s what Christmas means to me.
Giving, sharing, having fun;
Wishing peace to everyone;
Gathered together round the tree;
That’s what Christmas means to me.
image from Pixabay
Foraging through undergrowth,
the Superb Fairy Wren
jauntily hops and bounces
velvety blue plumage; black-masked;
yellow petals collected
for its grey-brown mate.
Daintily, it dances
from earth to bough to leaf;
the garden its stage.
Flash of blue; flicker of brown;
bringer of joy
straight to the heart.
Photo from Pexels by Walter Coppola
You bought us in Summer when we were sparkly new:
brilliant white, shiny bright with a stripe of navy blue.
You took us to netball; you took us to the pool.
We went on an excursion, a casual day at school.
We got a little grimy; we got a little worn,
a scratch on the left heel; one lace was partially torn.
We played in the garden. We trudged on a hike.
We toured around the neighbourhood, pedalling on your bike.
We got a little tawdry; our tread was worn down low,
a scuff here, a mark there; a hole in one toe.
We stomped in muddy puddles. We danced in the rain.
We got a little water-logged. We got a little stained.
As we sit on the backstep, we’re hardly sparkly new.
We’re a muddy sort of brown with a faded stripe of blue.
But if we could have our druthers, I’m sure we’d rather be
nothing more than what we are: your favourite pair of shoes.
Familiar tunes float through stores;
holly, tinsel, wreathes on doors;
sparkling trees, the scent of pine.
Can it be almost Christmas time?
Elves on shelves, all playing tricks;
bells and baubles, candy sticks;
Silent Night the carolers chime
Maybe it’s nearly Christmas time.
Whispered plans and secret lists;
crinkly paper, wrapping gifts;
fairy lights on trees entwined.
It surely must be Christmas time.
Kindness, sharing, reaching out
to friends and family and all around;
peace and joy in hearts and minds.
Yes, it really is Christmas Time!
Photo from Pexels by Bob SpringBob54
Boots and bags and belts and braces;
slip-on shoes without any laces
hats with feather, coats with cuffs;
stripey socks and velvet gloves.
Shiny waistcoats, tall top hats;
onesies, boxers, baseball caps;
bracelets, bangles, silver pearls
scarves in patterns; scarves in swirls.
Woolly jackets, pants with spots;
petticoats and purple socks;
Skirts with zippers, skirts that flair;
Shirts with circles; shirts with squares.
Choose an outfit; match a hat.
Strike a pose! This or that?
Choose to be whatever you please
Magic, mayhem, make believe!
Image from Pexels by Ksenia Chernaya
Australian Children’s Poetry 