
Category Archives: Australian children’s poetry
“Tree Fog” by Louise McCarthy
Leave a commentIt’s a tall sailing-ship on the ocean,
Still, anchored, waiting – not to be broken –
Or smashed on rocks – run aground.
Or, imaginably, if I listen closely – beyond the hush –
Seawater claps the vessel’s hull and waves swoosh on the shore.
Sensible sea captain, dutiful crew, waits – no rush …
The sun is sinking, a gull calls, and the reef makes no score.
Explorers or pirates? We’ll see …
I write in my log book – a note to me –
“Tomorrow – build lighthouse for sea dogs.”
But in the morning, there is no sea, no ship and no fog.
“Farmyard Friends” by Penny Szentkuti
Leave a commentIt’s a tall sailing-ship on the ocean,
Still, anchored, waiting – not to be broken –
Or smashed on rocks – run aground.
Or, imaginably, if I listen closely – beyond the hush –
Seawater claps the vessel’s hull and waves swoosh on the shore.
Sensible sea captain, dutiful crew, waits – no rush …
The sun is sinking, a gull calls, and the reef makes no score.
Explorers or pirates? We’ll see …
I write in my log book – a note to me –
“Tomorrow – build lighthouse for sea dogs.”
But in the morning, there is no sea, no ship and no fog.
Inspired by a Farmyard Picture prompt
“Pet Wish” by Celia Berrell
Leave a commentOur neighbour has a little dog.
A cute white fluffy puppy.
It growls and howls both day and night.
Alone, it’s never happy
A well-loved dog is like a friend
who keeps us company.
We’ll both play games and go for walks.
That’s how it’s meant to be.
I wish our neighbour’s puppy-dog
was well-cared-for like that.
No time to spend with doggy friend …
then maybe get a cat?
“My Pet” by Louise Pocock
Leave a commentI beg my mum for my very own pet.
She winks at me and says, “you bet!”
But …
It must not purr
or have soft fur.
It must not bark
or like the park
No pets with a beak
that tweet (or shriek).
No pets that peak
or sneak or squeak.
It can’t have hair;
can’t need much care;
can’t be boring;
mind the flooring!
At the store I search until dark …
Mum’s going to love my new pet shark!
My Friend Has A Pet” by Stefan Nicholson
Leave a commentMy friend has a pet that he won as a bet. Sort of roundly square, with tufts of rough blue hair. It has no bottom. It has no top. All I can see is a middle, And that I believe is the lot. He calls it “Spit” but it does not know its name, Which is just as well I am told in haste, ‘cos it looks from both ends, just the same! It keeps one eye on its food in the big red shiny bowl But I always put it back on its face, in the hole. The other eye just stares at the stars in night’s sky. I swear that this is true, but I am more prone to lie. It is true that my friend has a pet. Part bird, part giraffe and flies a private jet. You must all believe that I could not possibly conceive In my wildest dreams, such a creature, That is calm, and cute, and soft, but sometimes . . . may also . . . eat you!

© Stefan Nicholson
“Boonie-dogs” by Celia Berrell
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https://www.boonieflightproject.com/


