Summer Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring

Are you listening?

On the beach

Sand is glistening

Beautiful rays

We’re happy today

Basking in a summer wonderland

Towels laid out, sun cream gleaming

Togs are bright, smiles are beaming

We squeal in the sun

Splashing up fun

Basking in a summer wonderland

In the morning we can build a castle

And pretend a dragon lives inside

He’ll say “Roar!”, fire blasting from his nostrils

We’ll scream “Aagh!” and run like we can fly

Later on

While the ham bakes

We’ll share slices of mum’s fruit cake

Eat a mince pie

A satisfied sigh

Basking in a summer wonderland

In the morning we can build a castle

And pretend we’re princesses so fine

We’ll have lots of fun with our big castle

Placing all our shells in one long line

When the sun

Finally goes down

We can see

Lights around town

We’ll frolic and play – the great Aussie way

Basking in a summer wonderland

A beautiful sight – we’re happy tonight

Basking in a summer wonderland

Do You Want To Build A Castle?

Do you wanna build a castle?

Come on, let’s go and play!

I haven’t seen you here before

So will you stay?

Let’s be best friends today

I’m really glad to meet you

And now we can

Build towers that reach the sky!

Do you wanna build a castle?

A super-duper-special castle?

Do you wanna build a castle?

And dig a moat around the sides?

I think some sand piled here will make it clear

That something beautiful will very soon reside!

The beach is sometimes lonely

With no friends to play

Just watching the grains drift by…

Do you wanna build a castle?

Sandcastle

“Watch this!” I cried

my bucket tipped

sand slamming on the shore

red, shiny, plastic cover

revealing something more

“A sandcastle!” I squealed again

jumping on two feet

“Come on! Let’s make another!”

a sandy, castle-y fleet

With walls that tower tall

and tunnels dug out deep

a flowing moat surrounds

the precious castle keep

Stick doors that lead to dungeons

where in his kelp-lined bed

lies a sleepy dragon

smoke swirling ‘round his head

Sharp crab legs stuck for claws

pointed shells for teeth

a pair of rubber flippers

slid under for his feet

And nestled at the end

of roughened, scaly tail

a jagged piece of plastic

from someone’s water pail

We tip-toed past so softly

not wanting to disturb

the beast we had created

in a castle most superb

Beachcombing

Beachcombing is an exciting activity in the winter.

So many interesting objects wash up on the shore to find.

We could easily do this all day.

outer shelled armour

scuttles on rocky surfaces

hiding in dark cracks

silently waving

tentacles cautiously curl

back under a rock

tangled strands of kelp

decorations on the sand

tickle my feet

little blue balloons

carried to the shore

afloat a wave

shiny spiraled homes

nothing living now inside

a lucky find

These Feet

These feet were made for walking

for  t r a i p s i n g  through the sand

cool from waves that wash ashore

shells tightly held in hand.

These feet were made for splashing

flicking salty spray up high

toes tangled in long seaweed fronds

dodging seagulls soaring by.

These feet were made for running

pushing off soft grains

knees up high and little bounce

the chase in frisbee games.

These feet were made for digging

wriggling down below

sand piled up past ankle height

stand firm against the tow.

These feet were made for swimming

paddling over waves

toes pointed with legs kicking strong

surf atop the watery maze.

These feet were made for tip-toe-ing

quietly at night

sleepy now, in need of rest

'til tomorrow… when there’s new light.

Sand Crab

I see a sand crab

digging on the shore

scuttle, scuttle, flick!

scuttle, scuttle, flick!

Pincer-fulls of grains fly

delving deep for more

scuttle, scuttle, flick!

scuttle, scuttle, flick!

Wave-y edges lapping

sparkle shiny in the sun

scuttle, scuttle, flick!

scuttle, scuttle, flick!

Watch out little crab!

I think it’s time to run!

Whoosh!

I see a sand crab

floating on a wave

paddle, paddle, splash!

paddle, paddle, splash!

Tumbling in the water

armoured and brave

paddle, paddle, splash!

paddle, paddle, splash!

Scrambling onto rocks

Clambering into cracks…

Look!

The little sand crab is back!

scuttle, scuttle, flick!

scuttle, scuttle, flick!

scuttle, scuttle

Seashells

Some shells have spirals that wind 'round and 'round.

Others are white and easily found.

Some shells are cone-shaped with a small, pointy tip.

Some deep like a cup, from which you could sip.

Some shells have ridges, striations of colour.

Others lined with nacre, an artwork of wonder.

Some shells are shaped like a butterfly's wings.

Each side is the same and joined at the hinge.

Some shells are big and fill your whole hand.

Others are tiny - hard to find in the sand.

And when one's discovered, it's gently removed

from the beach which it laid on - that warm comfy groove.

Washed off in the water and dried on a towel.

Taken home as a treasure... (with a very soft) "Wow!"

Ten Treasures

Wherever we go, we find treasures.

Big and small.

S m o o t h  and rough.

Treasures we can take home and keep; others we leave in their place.

All of them valuable.

I wrote a treasure-hunting poem for my kids here. 

For the park or the backyard.

This one is for the beach.

There are ten things to find.

Some days you might find them all.

Others, just a few.

It encourages them to look...

Ten Treasures

I’m often very hot

if you walk in bare feet;

but down below I’m cool-

a relief from the heat.

I am … (sand)

I used to be a home

for creatures in the sea;

washed up by the waves,

I’m as pretty as can be.

I’m a … (shell)

You can see me in the sand

and follow me somewhere;

The impression I leave

tells which creature’s been there.

I am … (footprints)

I burrow in the sand,

protected from waves;

On eight legs I scuttle-

when I’m feeling brave!

I’m a … (crab)

I have five pointed arms

and colours vivid bright;

I’m often found in rock pools-

water warm and light.

I’m a … (sea star)

I’m round and very prickly,

purple, brown or black;

My mouth is on the bottom,

spines up on my back.

I’m a … (sea urchin)

I have  l o n g, thin blades

and floats shaped like beads;

My fronds wave in the water

and tickle your feet.

I am … (seaweed)

I come in all sizes

and have glittery scales;

I swim very fast

with a flash of my tail.

I’m a … (fish)

Made of just sand

I stand majestic and tall;

You can often find shells

lining every wall.

I’m a … (sandcastle)

I have bright red legs

and a matching red beak;

I like to swoop down

to see what you eat!

I’m a … (seagull)

How many can you find?