Myrtle McGuire
joined a choir,
because she thought
she could sing.
She sang soprano
near the piano,
and here’s the
terrible thing:
her voice was a shriek
that lacked technique,
and started a chain of disasters;
the glass windows shattered,
and what really mattered,
down from the roof
came the rafters.
Photo from Pexels by Andrea Piacquadio
Self-esteem is not just words,
it is the heart of you;
knowing that you’re special,
there’s nothing you can’t do.
It means you have a value,
A very unique worth;
There’s no one else quite like you,
Anywhere on earth.
You are a whole lot stronger
when you have self-esteem.
No challenge will be too big,
you’ll always dare to dream.
Self-esteem is yours to have,
forget what others say!
You have a priceless value
every single day.
Image from Pexels by RDNE Stock project
I wash my hands before I play
With my guinea pigs, mice and my pet rat.
I have been told that this is the way
To keep them as clean as the dog and cat.
My hands look clean enough for me
But Mum nags of the news so gritty
Of those nasty germs that you can’t see
Can sicken and kill the largest city.
Now Mum warns that before I dine
To keep away that very bad flu’
Washing my hands will protect me fine.
And yours as well because it’s true.
WASHING YOUR HANDS ALL AROUND
THE ONLY WAY TO STAY SAFE AND SOUND
Photo from Pexels by Allan Mas
Poor Jasper McGore,
by a creek for a while,
fell asleep, didn’t see
the huge crocodile.
Those mighty jaws
opened big and wide,
swallowed him whole,
but Jasper inside
tickled its tongue,
made it open one jaw,
and out climbed one half
of Jasper McGore.
Photo by Sebastien Varin on Unsplash
I wanted to write a poem about Sunday,
simply because it rhymed with Monday.
But then it was Tuesday,
I struggled all day,
and all Wednesday I waited
with breath abated,
and decided that Thursday
would be my verse day!
But no words came to mind,
I got really behind,
now it’s Sunday again
and I’ve lost my pen…
Teacher’s note: “To wait with bated breath” is a very common phrase. Bated is short for “abated”. It is never spelled “abaited”, because bait refers to hunting and trapping.
Hello, puppy, what’s your name?
Where did they find you?
Have you come to live at my place,
or are you passing through?
I got here first, I make the rules,
so set them in your head:
never ever eat my food,
and don’t sleep in my bed!
I woke up to a sound
Beating in my head
An imaginary tune
Which trumpets led.
I did not recognise
What vibrated in my ear
But moved instinctively
In pleasure it was clear.
A mist came over me
Like I was in a dream
Music became louder
Or so it seemed.
Guitars took the stage
A melody subdued
In this euphoria
I felt totally attuned.
The beat continued on
I embraced the melody
It took me to a special place
One that I could only see.
Photo from Pexels by Tim Mossholder
Archer is not an angel
But he is my pride and joy
He’s not always obedient
But loves to play with a toy.
It doesn’t matter what it is
As long as it is thrown
As he just loves to catch it
On his very own.
He can chase it endlessly
Even when he’s puffed
But he won’t give up easily
Until he’s totally stuffed.
Archer is not an angel
But he is an angel to me
He represents all that’s good
Innocence and humility.
I dreamed one day I’d journey
over the sea to Skye,
and I did, on a modern ferry,
to where the crags reach high.
Like Bonnie Prince Charlie himself,
I had the hills to climb,
where songs and daring legends
were born in the mists of time.
Frances Felicity Frankenstein
Will you be my valentine?
Though your surname is not glamorous
Your smile always makes me amorous.
Last week when I held your hand
I knew our love was something grand.
We’ve been together twelve whole weeks,
Our bond is something quite unique.
Although you have a mono-brow
I still adore you anyhow.
It’s true three of your teeth are missing,
But I don’t notice when we’re kissing.
I love to hold you every day
And know that you will always stay.
Perhaps, come many years from now,
We could exchange wedding vows.
I’ll lift your veil and kiss your freckles;
Your name will then be Mrs Jekyll.
Australian Children’s Poetry 