Tag Archives: rhyming poems

Gorgeous! by James Aitchison

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Not a sound, not a ripple,

as we whisper our way

between sandstone walls —

ten metres high, they say.

Then it gets narrow,

two metres in places,

and on the stone,

are they fossil traces?

It’s a tight squeeze,

you can touch the rock —

but make sure it’s not hiding

a freshwater croc!

Yabbies and turtles,

and a big goanna,

you’ll see them all 

in the Gulf Savannah.

Gorgeous! by James Aitchison

Teacher’s note: The Cobbold Gorge was formed 10,000 years ago.  Several springs feed into the gorge, keeping the water level constant.

Far North Queensland’s Cobbold Gorge. Photo by Ginette Pestana

Rusty in the shoe cupboard by Jeanie Axton

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A girl may love her shoes                                               

but her cat treasures them more

A special place in a cupboard

a spot that she adores

Ah, to rest in the leather

Ooh to breathe in the sweat

An afternoon spent with the shoes

is as good as a cat’s life gets

Rusty in the shoe cupboard by Jeanie Axton

Photo of Rusty provided by Jeanie Axton

I won’t rubbish Australia! by James Aitchison

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Let’s pick up all the trash,

all the soft drink cans,

all the empty packets

left behind by lazy hands.

There’s garbage in the bush,

and rubbish by the road,

and on every beach

there’s more trash by the load.

What kind of careless people

leave all their mess behind?

I think I’d like to see them

well and truly fined!

I will do my part —

and with help from you —

we’ll make sure Australia

always looks brand-new.

Image from Pixabay

Where will we go today? by James Aitchison

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A soft misty sunrise,

adventure’s in the air,

let’s raise the sails and go

while the weather’s fair.

There’s so much to explore —

where will we go today?

For lunch let’s drop anchor

in a quiet bay.

And in the afternoon,

on the glassy tide,

we’ll try our hand at fishing,

as homeward bound we glide.

Where will we go today? by James Aitchison

Sunrise at Picton, South Island, New Zealand. Photo by Ginette Pestana

You Have Teeth by Marque Dobrow

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You have teeth inside your head,
To help you chew and
Swallow your food,
So as you won’t drop dead.
That is what I said.
Some people with teeth inside their head,
Can take them out at night
And put them in a glass beside the bed,
Before they catch some zeds.
What a wonderful privilege
To have teeth inside your head.
And if you can remember
To keep your gums from turning red,
Your teeth shall stand you in good stead.
Other beasts also have teeth inside their head.
Some from which I’ve fled.
Like the snake, several dogs and a horse named Fred.
I enjoy having teeth inside my head.
I aim to keep them there.
And if I do,
I will be well fed.
But if I don’t,
My fate I’ll no doubt dread.
For to a dentist I’ll be led.

You Have Teeth by Marque Dobrow

Image by Pixabay

Give the Birds a Rap by Erica Chester

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A group of eagles is a convocation

And a group of starlings, a murmuration

Ibises cheer in a congregation 

Then bin dive with great elation

Kingfishers live in concentration

Whilst peacocks strut in an ostentation

Larks fly and sing in exaltation

An emu from the mob represents our nation 

Kookaburras laugh in a raucous riot

Pods of pelicans glide in the quiet

A siege of herons (on a strict fish diet)

Duck and dive and bathe in private

Seagulls bicker in a squawking squabble

A gaggle of gregarious turkeys like to gobble 

Sparrows gather in what’s called a quarrel

A waddle of penguins can sometimes wobble

A tiding of magpies warbles all the time

Tiny little fairywrens make a chime

A murder of crows isn’t always a crime

A ballet of swans: graceful in their prime

Give the Birds a Rap by Erica Chester

Image from Pixabay

I love libraries by James Aitchison

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I’ve got stacks of reading to do,

I don’t know where to begin!

Some of the books are big,

And some are very thin.

Will I start on the bottom shelf,

And read my way to the top?

Or start reading down to the ground

Until I have to stop?

Or maybe I’ll read side to side,

Right to left or left to right,

Whatever it is, I know I’ll be reading

Long into the night!

I love libraries by James Aitchison

Image by Pixabay

Love Our Library by Pauline Cleary

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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

Stop Work by Jenny Erlanger

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Our microwave’s groaning,
the dishwasher’s moaning,
the fridge has developed a whir.
Our blender’s not blending,
it’s only pretending.
The food’s barely given a stir.

Our dryer’s stopped drying.
it’s not even trying
but that’s not what irks me the most.
The toaster I’m using
has started refusing
to pop up my pieces of toast.

I’m sensing defiance
from every appliance.
It must be their chores they dislike.
I’m wondering whether
they’ve plotted together
to stage this ridiculous strike?

Stop Work by Jenny Erlanger

Image from Pixabay

Getting Sorted by James Aitchison

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One day I opened my wardrobe

and all the junk fell out!

Ten pairs of filthy shoes 

and a half-eaten Brussels sprout.

There were socks that smelled really gross,

some old underpants and a book,

and in a plastic lunchbox,

I found the remains of a chook.

A football my dog had chewed,

a tube of cream for my zits,

a few dead flies and a lizard,

and a shirt that no longer fits.

Such a disgusting mess —

I didn’t know what to say.

Back into the wardrobe it went,

To be sorted another day!

Image from Pixabay