At the School Camp

In our hut, I’m first awake.

I peer through the curtains –

nothing’s stirring out there

except for three magpies and a crow

looking for their breakfast – maybe a worm

or two. Haven’t they slept? It’s only six o’clock!

Everyone in this hut is still asleep.

Then suddenly I see the sun

climbing, climbing, ever so slowly –

a faraway orange

that I can’t reach.

Katherine Gallagher

(Published in Read Me At School (ed Gaby Morgan, Macmillan Children’s

Books, 2009)

• Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #37

Katherine said: I love LOOK as a POETRY PROMPT . It reminded me of my poem AT THE SCHOOL CAMP inspired by a wonderful sunrise in a weekend camp at Axedale, near Bendigo, Victoria.