Australian Children’s Poetry

This old, old tree

looks weird to me.

Its bark is mossy,

its lichen glossy.

If I had time

I could climb

to its top

and there I’d stop —

under the sky,

up so high.

Photo by Ginette Pestana

A famous word in the dictionary
one that’s exceedingly long
renowned for many reasons
including a famous song

Originally college slang
coined by students in 31’
meaning extremely wonderful
they spoke it out in fun

Next came Mary Poppins
released in 64’
the word in song a legend
quickly woven into lore

“Terrific!”
This word
is rather heroic.
Rooted in
TERROR,
it’s far from bucolic.

It started out
living with
FEAR and DREAD,
but chose to be
BRAVE and HAPPY
instead!

The Journey of a Word

Image from

It’s a rugged, wild wilderness
with ancient cliffs and rocks,
endless skies of brilliant blue
and finches fly in flocks.
Where the Desert Pea blooms
its flowers red and black;
sprouting up when raindrops fall
way off the beaten track.

They’re practical by nature
resilient and strong,
take pride in where they love to live...

I went to Sherwood Forest,

in search of Robin Hood.

I imagined he was watching me

as I wandered through the wood.

Then came a flight of arrows

and I heard the Sheriff’s men;

the ring of swords and battle

resounded through the glen.

But how I was mistaken,

only ghosts are here to thrill,<...