Catching Clouds

We climbed the boarded promenade

up high towards the sky

where clouds were floating  s l o w l y-

the wind a gentle sigh.

The owl was looking at us-

white wings spread vast and  b r o a d.

Clawed feet with fluffy talons

curled 'round a pointed sword.

Grey swirls of shiny armour-

the brave knight clad in this.

His arm around a princess-

a rose upon her wrist.

The elephant blew slowly by-

his trunk held high and proud.

And on his back a monkey rode-

above the strato-crowd.

The dragon was enormous-

fire wisping from within.

His roar had scared the garden gnome-

beard shaking on his chin.

We watched the dragon's antics-

chasing cats and flossy sheep.

Until reluctantly, we climbed back down

for it was time to go to sleep.

Sandcastles

Photo by Alyse Thomson

Each sandcastle tells a story

of two hands working hard

piling up the grains

until they almost reach the stars!

Each sandcastle tells a story

of wet sand packed down tight-

so close that when the wind blows

not a single grain takes flight.

Each sandcastle tells a story

of buckets filled with water.

When mixed with sand and drizzled on

it's just like using mortar!

Each sandcastle tells a story

of rocks smoothed by the waves

collected on the beach that day-

a path they are to pave.

Each sandcastle tells a story

of shiny, pretty shells.

The ones that fit right in your hand

and have a beach-y smell.

Each sandcastle tells a story

of seaweed flying high

from the tallest of the turrets-

right up near the sky!

Each sandcastle tells a story

of waves that come too close.

The ridge of water crashing

causing sand walls to come loose.

Then the waves keep coming

'til the beach is flat again.

And tomorrow once the sun is up

a new story can begin.

Mud Pies

Two handfuls of dirt,

a small cup of water.

Stir.

Three brown, crinkly leaves,

a couple of pebbles.

Mix.

Add tiny pieces of finely shred bark,

a couple of sticks we found in the park,

some grass –  l o n g  and green,

a daisy or two,

a sprinkle of sand,

and it’s ready (!) -

Just for you.

Leaves

There are round ones and ovals

and curved crescent moons;

slim slender stems-

ends shaped like a spoon.

Some are elliptic-

plain simple curved forms;

others look like a kidney-

a stark reniform.

L o n g  linear leaves

are narrow in shape;

their parallel veins

seem to  e l o n g a t e.

Oblong leaves

are  w i d e r  in width;

b r o a d  deltoid leaves

have a thin pointed tip.

But my favourite of all

is shaped like a heart;

two finely curved sides-

earthy natural art.

Veins  s t r e t c h i n g  out-

tiny branches of arms;

I pick one up-

a lucky charm.

Colours

There are colours abundant

from here and to there-

a clear azure sky,

the sun’s bright yellow glare.

Spring green of the grass

and emerald leaves,

candy-pink blossoms

gently wave in the breeze.

Roughened grey trunks

roots weaving down low

deep in chocolate-brown dirt-

rich soil helps them grow.

Floating above

are fluffy white clouds,

vivid tangerine kites

and trailing red tails.

The orange and black

of a butterfly’s wings

swirl together in patterns

of spots and of rings.

Soft petals to land on-

deep purples and gold

with fuzzy dark centres

where tiny feet hold.

Digging about

a pink worm is found

wriggling and squiggling

on that chocolate-brown ground.

Little black spots

on shiny red wings

are carried along-

feet sticking on things.

Hard rocks rise up-

the colour of coffee,

their uneven edges

all soft, green and mossy.

It’s here that we sit

for the next colour show-

because everything changes

when the sun starts to go.

How many colours can you find?

Footprints

I can see footprints

pressed in the sand-

of toes  l o n g  and spindly,

webs spread like a fan.

I can see paw prints

deep in the mud-

oval-shaped pads

atop a round spud.

I can see hoof prints

‘long the winding dirt track-

arched like a rainbow

they never look back.

I see something shiny,

glistening and bright-

winding over stone pavers

through petals so light.

Where are they going?

These creatures outside-

searching for food

or a safe place to hide?

Are they looking for friends,

finding shelter from rain?

Or enjoying a walk

‘cross uneven terrain?

I crouch and peer closely-

impressions so clear-

and quietly follow

to find what is near…