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!
Tea and TV
‘Tea and TV’ –
that precious half hour,
the age old song,
its siren power.
Snuggled on the couch,
a snack plate to nibble,
a peep through the windows,
Teds Big and Little.
A spot of craft
and a lively tune,
a welcome diversion
in the long afternoon.
Tea and TV,
whatever the weather,
those faces were friends,
they held us together
Teacher Notes by Jeanie Axton
Play school is an Australian TV icon. Show the students two episodes of Playschool comparing an episode of 30 years ago with today. Have a discussion about stereotypes and how things have changed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeN_iuHTQ8I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBr0TG6Wg_E
They could choose one of the famous Playschool characters and write a poem in the shape of the character.
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
