Face off on the pirate ship

 

One sturdy yellow captain’s wheel.

Two captains, toe to toe.

Legs braced, shoulders set,

No one’s letting go.

 

“I’m the captain of this ship.”

Hands pull to and fro.

“You can use the telescope.”

“No! No! No!”

 

Two fierce captains holding fast,

Leaders of the pack.

“Hattie! Ella! Come down now!

It’s time to have a snack!”

If ever there was a time for poetry, it’s now

When people are unsure

Their minds alive with fear, routines undone,

Bring words of hope and words of beauty,

Bring words of comfort to everyone.

When people are confined

Their choices curtailed, plans put aside,

Bring words of light and words of strength,

Bring words of freedom to inspire

When people are frustrated,

Their tempers strained, their goodwill thin,

Bring words of laughter and words of peace

Bring words of love to hold within.

Gifts

A gift comes from one

and is given to another.

The first is life

from a father and a mother.

Then comes a book, a baby doll,

a blanket soft and warm, to hold.

A grandma’s love,

an uncle’s time

an auntie’s favourite nursery rhyme,

a friend who listens and understands –

some gifts you can’t hold in your hand.

So notice those who give around you,

the gifts from nature that surround you.

Receive with gratitude and grace

and give with love in every case.

This one is a skipping rhyme or chant to celebrate the fruits and flowers of a Sydney spring.

Lilli pilli, loquat, cumquat tree
What shall we have for afternoon tea?
Wattle in the garden, jasmine on the breeze
Lilli pilli, loquat, cumquat please!

Farmyard Friends

Fleece short and soft,

A lamb wriggles its tail,

Running behind its mother –

Me too! I’m coming!

Yellow fluffballs

Among sturdy bustling chooks.

Rooster struts –

Don’t fret! There’s plenty for all!

Following the trail of leftovers

Roly poly piglets snuffle

In a patchy pink parade.

Eating! Yum!

Noses twitching, ears pricked,

Dogs on duty, tails stiff –

Someone’s coming! Woof!

Clues for an egg hunt

Go full throttle straight to the wattle.

Say “Hello, dear!” to the aloe vera.

Don’t ignore the kangaroo paw.

Follow your nose all the way to the hose.

Don’t be a stranger to the hydrangea.

Go and smile at the native violets.

Don’t be in a rush near the bottlebrush.

Do one more pass over the grass.

Gather your eggs by the big gum tree.

Share them out (with some for me).

Four Legs

Four legs and a tail 

it could be a dog.

Four legs and a croak?

That’s a frog!

Four legs and a hump –

it must be a camel.

Four legs and fur?

It’s some kind of mammal.

But four legs and a mane –

long legs for trotting,

strong galloping legs,

and a tail for fly swatting?

That’s easy now,

I know it of course!

That four legged friend

is a horse.

Penny Szentkuti

Four Legs

Four legs and a tail –

it could be a dog.

Four legs and a croak?

That’s a frog!

Four legs and a hump –

it must be a camel.

Four legs and fur?

It’s some kind of mammal.

But four legs and a mane –

long legs for trotting,

strong galloping legs,

and a tail for fly swatting?

That’s easy now,

I know it of course!

That four legged friend

is a horse.

Penny Szentkuti

Four Legs

Four legs and a tail –

it could be a dog.

Four legs and a croak?

That’s a frog!

Four legs and a hump –

it must be a camel.

Four legs and fur?

It’s some kind of mammal.

But four legs and a mane –

long legs for trotting,

strong galloping legs,

and a tail for fly swatting?

That’s easy now,

I know it of course!

That four legged friend

is a horse.