I have a clock
that tells the time
with only one hand
and a mighty chime.

I think it is
A clever clock.
It doesn't go tick,
It only goes tock.

Attached between the branches
of an artist’s chosen trees
a masterpiece of nature
quivers gently in the breeze.
Caressed by gentle rainfall
it holds fast within its stays,
the sun creating diamonds
as the lacework lightly sways.

But looks can be deceptive,
our perception can be wrong.
This filigree’s not fragile,
but miraculously strong
and made with no attention
to emotions humans feel.
This work’s a mere contraption
made to catch a tasty meal.

Dimpled dinosaurs driving

Dandy dinosaurs dancing

Dreamy dinosaurs drinking

Dexterous dinosaurs dinking

Dainty dinosaurs dazzling

Devilish dinosaurs diving

Dozy dinosaurs dallying

Delicate dinosaurs dawdling

© Katherine Gallagher

I took Billy and Archer
0n a long walk
Barked at each other
Because they can’t talk.

Birds were chirping
Whilst on our walk
Chirped at each other
Because they can’t talk.

Ducks were  quacking,
Whilst on our walk
Quacked at each other
Because they can’t talk.

Frogs were croaking
Whilst on our walk
Croaked at each other
Because they can’t talk.

I talk to the two
Whilst on our walk
They understand me
Because I can talk.

Fairy bread

is far and away

the best thing to eat

on your birthday.

Hundreds and thousands

sprinkled thickly

on fresh white bread,

and it isn’t sickly.

It’s my favourite

but there is a must —

before you serve it,

cut off the crust!

For those out there

Who need to hear

A kindly word that says,

“I care.”

For those in times

So hard to bear,

Is there someone

Anywhere

Who’ll feel their need

And plant a seed

Of love to share?

I go to the hedge of our holiday-cottage
to trim branches within easy reach.
I am cutting edgily until two eyes
fix mine. Not a sound passes between us,
but we understand each other.
The Blackbird on her nest is intent.
Without a second look, I withdraw,
murmuring apologies.

From Acres of Light, Arc Publication, 2016 © Katherine Gallagher

Humungous Fungus is among us
and it’s rather smelly.
It slowly creeps between your toes
then right up to your belly.

It can be blue but when it’s pink
it gives off such an awful stink.
Sometimes it floats down in the breeze
and leaves great blobs on both your knees.

When it sparkles like a fairy
then you must be very wary.
If it waves its magic wand
you’ll smell like slime from next door’s pond.

Beware if Fungus goes to school.
It doesn’t care who looks a fool.
Your teacher might get quite a shock
if Fungus hides inside his sock.

If poor grandma, while she’s sitting
concentrating on her knitting,
notices a sudden pull,
it’s Fungus climbing up her wool.

Even Mum must be quite careful.
She might cop a blobby hair full
if she happens to be shopping
right where Fungus slime is dropping.

Family pets should run and hide.
‘Cos Fungus loves to slip and slide
into kennels, baskets, cages,
sending critters into rages.

But Fungus loathes a water spray.
So get yourself one right away
and squirt that fiend with all your might.
You’ll be a hero overnight.