Space Traveller by Monty Edwards

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Space Traveller

 

I plan to build a spaceship soon and travel to the stars.

My Dad says: “Land first on the moon, then buy more fuel on Mars.”

But will the Martians sell me fuel if I’ve no shopper docket?

I’ll ask my mum to give me one and keep it in my pocket.

 

At school we learned the nearest star is still quite far away.

This means the food I’ll need to pack must last more than one day.

So I should fit a cupboard in where food can all be stored

And for my rest, it’s surely best, to put a bed on board.

 

My spaceship must have windows where I’ll watch the stars at night.

For sleeping, I’ll make shutters to keep out their dazzling light.

Since stars will be much closer as I travel out in space

There’d hardly be much sleeping with them shining in my face!

 

I’ve worked it out. Without a doubt, my spaceship will be large.

I ought to contact Fuel Watch too, to learn what Martians charge.

I think perhaps I need more time. There’s so much I must do,

But once my spaceship’s ready, then I’ll say goodbye to you.

 

Or would you like to help me build and join me for the ride?

You needn’t  answer straight away, there’s still time to decide,

But if you plan to come along, you too need food and bed.

So let’s  just ask our mums to take us to the zoo instead.

 

Monty Edwards

Monty says:  Space travel seems to fascinate many children and stimulate their imagination, long before they have any realistic concept of what it might involve.

Duck by Jeanie Axton

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On a shady pathway

In the park

I met a duck

Halfway up.

He waddled left,

He waddled right,

That duck on the steps

Was quite a sight.

I asked him, “What are you doing here?”

He said, “Practising my waddle, dear.”

We sat and chatted for a time

Then off he went

To continue his climb.

When he reached the top

He flapped his wings

And turned back to me

With a cheeky duck grin.

Jeanie Axton

 

 

Tongue Torture by Monty Edwards

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Tongue Torture

 

If you like to eat cold meat and consider that a treat,

Have you ever thought of adding chilli sauce?

Use a little, not a lot, since this sauce is rather hot

And you wouldn’t want to singe your tongue, of course.

 

Don’t be led astray by greed and take more than you will need.

If you do, I can assure you, you’ll regret it.

Though your tongue may twist and turn, your whole mouth will seem to burn

And I doubt you’ll soon be able to forget it!

 

Monty Edwards

Monty says: The pickle prompt got me thinking about other sauces and relishes which adults enjoy, but children’s palates may not be prepared for.

Cumin by Walter de Jong

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Cumin to my kitchen

is a warming winter soup

starring cauliflower of course

the biggest top in town.

Collected in my colander

Is my tender little troupe

but as I rinse them in a rivulet

something wriggles then rolls down

he has practiced this performance

to avoid birds and their beaks

he seems suited to a circus

he’s  like a caterpillar clown

Walter de Jong

Sweet and Sour by Nadine Cranenburgh

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Sweet and Sour

Black morsels crawling all around,
my feet are being tickled
by sugar ants and honey ants
and gherkin ants
all pickled.
Nadine Cranenburgh

Nadine said: The pickle prompt a while back made me think of a nonsense poem I wrote for Sally Odger’s upcoming poetry anthology, which played with the idea of ants of both sweet and savoury varieties.

At the School Camp by Katherine Gallagher

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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)

 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.

Holiday Playground by Monty Edwards

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Holiday Playground

 

Rambling round the ruins

Found in Greece and Rome,

We are merely tourists

Very far from home.

What it’s like to live here

We can only guess.

Is it full of interest?

Hear us answer: “Yes!”

 

Ruins tell us stories

Of a nation’s past,

But its former glories

Often do not last.

Wars and evil leaders

Good things can destroy;

Plagues and vile diseases

Steal a nation’s joy.

 

 

Rambling round the ruins,

Climbing steps and stairs,

Weaving through the columns,

We cast off our cares.

Here we hide from siblings;

Trick our dad and mum;

Once we were reluctant.

Now we’re glad we’ve come!

 

Monty Edwards

Monty says: Children can turn even ancient ruins into playground equipment at will!

 

 

Dance Steps by J.R. Poulter

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Dance Steps

 

Down sunbeams

Through shadows,

Along the light dancing…

 

I see in your hand waves,

The flick of your lashes,

A glimmer of laughter,

A shimmered illusion

Of flight

But not quite…

 

Reflections in water

Rippling,

Stars in the sky pool

Tripling,

Over the shoulder

Glancing,

Smiles from my daughters

Dancing!

JR Poulter