Out walking

Our family walks are always interesting...

We raced along

sticks stuffed in back

of trailing grubby shirts

dust flying up

as feet kicked rocks

along the path of dirt

“Hurry!” we cried

much faster now

air sucked in quick and deep

lungs bursting over distance

the trail becoming steep

The shadow we were chasing

was flitting in and out

of gnarled and broken tree trunks

then “Quickly!” with a shout

we pounced and drew our swords

blades waving in the air

“Come out from where you’re hiding!

Come out from under there!”

And out he crept from darkness

held beneath a rock

great size and sudden hairiness

enough to give a shock

swords pointed bravely forward

ready for a fight

then “BOO!” came from that shadow

Dad laughing at our fright.

Note: this poem was the featured "Poem of the Day" 
on the Australian Children's Poetry website here

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

At the Park

Great sticks in hand

we marched along

in lines as straight as roads

heading to the forest

where trees stand tall in rows

A sudden halt

I ground my stick

look back way o’er my shoulder

he follows,  s l o w

stick trailing now

behind my little brother

“Come on!” I cry

to speed him up

one last green stretch to cover

not knowing what the forest holds

it’s best we stayed together

He caught up fast

stick raised up now

and pointed like a sword

quietly we crept along

eyes peeled as we moved forward

tip-toe

tip-toe

tip-toe

tip -

We stop again

feet poised and still

and listen to the breeze

it brings the sounds of something

that lives within these trees

We feel it getting closer

hot breath and heavy steps

sniffing those who trespass

growling

then he leapt!

The fury of the dragon

was felt in flames of red

firing from his toothy mouth

smoke swirling round his head

We squeal as terror finds us

deep in this tree-lined forest

swords waving ‘round

as high-pitched cries

and beating wings surround us

Running hard

we stumble t’wards

the lit end of the path

an exit from the danger

a dragon’s angry wrath

Feet flying now

we cross the grass

and flop onto the mat

relieved, and breathing hard

we laugh … should we go back?

*This poem was featured as "Poem of the Day" on the Australian Children's Poetry site here.