poetry for children

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Old Black Jacko Old Black Jacko Smokes tobacco In his little pipe of clay. Puff, puff, puff, He never has enough Though he smokes it all day. But his lubra says, “Mine tink dat Jacky Him … [Read more...] about Old Black Jacko [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Farmer Jack Old farmer Jack gazed on his wheat, And feared the frost would nip it. Said he, “it’s nearly seven feet — I must begin to strip it.” He stripped it with a stripper and He bagged … [Read more...] about Farmer Jack [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Barber I’d like to be a barber, and learn to shave and clip, Calling out, “Next please!” and pocketing my tip. All day I’d hear my scissors going, “Snip, Snip, Snip”; I’d lather people’s … [Read more...] about The Barber [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Woolloomooloo Here’s a ridiculous riddle for you: How many o’s are there in Woolloomooloo? Two for the W, two for the m, Four for the l’s, and that’s plenty for them. ————— I wonder what … [Read more...] about Woolloomooloo [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Looking-Glass When I look into the looking glass I’m always sure to see — No matter how I dodge about — Me, looking out at me. I often wonder as I look, And those strange features … [Read more...] about The Looking-Glass [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Tea Talk “Excuse me if I sit on you,” the cup said to the saucer. “I fear I’ve been here all the afternoon.” “Spare excuses,” said the saucer; “you have sat on me before, sir.” “Oh, I’ll stir … [Read more...] about Tea Talk [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Spotted Heifers Mr. Jeremiah Jeffers Owned a pair of spotted heifers. These he sold for two pounds ten To Mr. Robert Raymond Wren, Who reared them in the lucerne paddocks Owned by Mr. … [Read more...] about The Spotted Heifers [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Teacher I’d like to be a teacher, and have a clever brain, Calling out, “Attention, please!” and “Must I speak in vain?” I’d be quite strict with boys and girls whose minds I had to … [Read more...] about The Teacher [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Our Cow Down by the sliprails stands our cow Chewing, chewing, chewing, She does not care what folks out there In the great, big world are doing. She sees the small cloud-shadows pass And … [Read more...] about Our Cow [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Song of the Sulky Stockman Come, let us sing with a right good ring (Sing hey for lilting lay, sing hey!) Of any old, sunny old, silly old thing. (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock … [Read more...] about The Song of the Sulky Stockman [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Unsociable Wallaby Willie spied a wallaby hopping through the fern — Here a jump, here a thump, there a sudden turn. Willie called the wallaby, begging him to stop, But he went among the … [Read more...] about The Unsociable Wallaby [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Growing Up Little Tommy Tadpole began to weep and wail, For little Tommy Tadpole had lost his little tail, And his mother didn’t know him, as he wept upon a log; For he wasn’t Tommy Tadpole, … [Read more...] about Growing Up [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Porter I’d like to be a porter, and always on the run, Calling out, “Stand aside!” and asking leave of none, Shoving trucks on people’s toes, and having splendid fun; Slamming all the … [Read more...] about The Porter [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Good Enough I do not think there ever was, Or ever will, or ever could be, A little girl or little boy As good as she or as he should be. But still, I think, you will agree, Though perfect … [Read more...] about Good Enough [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Bessie and the Bunyip Bessie met a bunyip down along the track, In his hand a billy and a swag upon his back. And you will hardly believe it, but when Bessie shouted, “Shoo!” He turned a double … [Read more...] about Bessie and the Bunyip [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Band Hey, there! Listen awhile! Listen awhile, and come. Down in the street there are marching feet, and I hear the beat of a drum. Bim! Boom!! Out of the room! Pick up your hat and … [Read more...] about The Band [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Long Road Home When I go back from Billy’s place I always have to roam The mazy road, the crazy road that leads the long way home. Ma always says, “Why don’t you come through Mr. Donkin’s … [Read more...] about The Long Road Home [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Drovers Out across the spinifex, out across the sand, Out across the saltbush to Never Never land That’s the way the drovers go, jogging down the track — That’s the way the drovers go. But … [Read more...] about The Drovers [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Tram-Man I’d like to be a Tram-man, and ride about all day, Calling out, “Fares, please!” in quite a ’ficious way, With pockets full of pennies which I’d make the people pay. But in the … [Read more...] about The Tram-Man [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Music of Your Voice A vase upon the mantelpiece, A ship upon the sea, A goat upon a mountain-top Are much the same to me; But when you mention melon jam, Or picnics by the creek, Or … [Read more...] about The Music of Your Voice [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921 (page 63). This book has four poems entitled “Bird Song”, on pages 48, 63, 108, and 114.] Bird Song I am friendly with the sparrow Though his mind is rather narrow And his manners — well, the less … [Read more...] about Bird Song [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Hist! Hist! . . . . . . . Hark! The night is very dark, And we’ve to go a mile or so Across the Possum Park. Step . . . . . . . light, Keeping to the right; If we delay, and lose our … [Read more...] about Hist! [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Going to School Did you see them pass to-day, Billy, Kate and Robin, All astride upon the back of old grey Dobbin? Jigging, jogging off to school, down the dusty track — What must Dobbin think … [Read more...] about Going to School [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] You and I They say the eagle is a bird That sees some splendid sights When he soars high into the sky Upon his dizzy flights: He sees the ground for miles around Our house, and Billy … [Read more...] about You and I [poem by C. J. Dennis]