Sharks

My son loves dinosaurs, dragons and sharks.

They adorn his clothes, pillow cases, school labels and library bag.

They burst from his stories, imagined play and drawings.

We live in Western Australia, where there is currently a huge shark-related controversy.

For my son, these creatures are filled with beauty and mystique.

And I hope they always will be.

This poem is for him.

There’s a creature in the ocean

who swims with grace and ease

supple streamlined body

moving forward through the seas.

Its tail like a propeller-

swinging back and forth and so

pushing water past its fins

lifting upwards as he goes.

Paired fins move up or down-

water pressure ‘round them changes-

rising his body up

or down, away from dangers.

Sometimes I can imagine

him zooming at high speed-

racing through the coolness

with a smile, and a “wheeeeeeeeeeee!”

Or maybe when it’s late

he just  c r u i s e s  at his leisure

soaking in the rainbow sights-

toothy grin showing his pleasure.

A rumble in his tummy

means it’s almost dinner time-

an amazing sense of smell

makes food very easy to find!

Once full, he doesn’t eat again

for up to several days-

in the meantime, he just travels

and mingles with the rays.

Because this creature lives

deep down beneath the sea

there’s still so much that we don’t know-

their population a mystery!

When I grow big, I’m going to try

and learn some brand new things-

more facts about my favourite fish-

the ones with pointy fins.

A shark collage we made last year from newspaper scraps and coloured paper.

The Jetty

I wrote this poem for my kids after a recent trip to Busselton, 

a small town on the coast of Western Australia. 

The jetty is well-known there - 

the swimming leg of the Busselton Ironman loops out and around it - 

and is one of the town's main attractions. 

Two kilometres long, it stretches right out into the ocean, 

ending at an underwater observatory.

The Jetty

It  s t r e t c h e s  out so far

from shallow to the deep.

To water that is dark and quiet

where all the fish can sleep.

The wooden planks are  w i d e

and lead us on our way.

We walk right near the edge to see

and feel the salty spray.

The clearness of the water-

the unclouded crystal green-

a window to the world below,

of life not always seen.

The seaweed waves its fronds,

a gentle to and fro.

Back and forth they sway-

the ocean's rhythm calm and  s l o w.

We see them dart around-

silver flashes down below.

As herring dance in synchrony-

the entire school in flow.

Other fish swim by-

their antics make a splash!

Drops of water jumping out

and landing with a splat!

Not everything is moving-

some creatures are so still.

Clinging tightly to the pillars-

holding fast with all their will.

The abalone shells

are round and very tough.

We reached arms down to touch them-

ridges prickly and quite rough.

Climbing up again

from underneath the jetty's shade,

We stood and watched just one more dance

'til the movements seemed to fade.

Do You See What I See?

This poem reads best while humming the tune 

to the well-known Christmas song, 

"Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Said the mother to her little girl-

Do you see what I see?

Swimming in the river, little one-

Do you see what I see?

A fish, a fish

Bubbles all a far

With a tail that glitters like a star

With a tail that glitters like a star

Said the little girl to her mum-

Do you hear what I hear?

Flowing deep and fast near us, mum

Do you hear what I hear?

A stream, a stream

Water running 'long

With a current that is steady and strong

With a current that is steady and strong

Said the mother to her little girl-

Do you know what I know?

In this world around us, little one-

Do you know what I know?

A home, a home

For creatures big and small

We can watch and learn to keep them all

We can watch and learn to keep them all

Said the little girl to her mum-

I am listening to you

Our Earth is precious, isn’t it mum?

I am listening to you

The fish, the trees

Little insects in the night

We live carefully and do what is right

We live carefully and do what is right