C. J. Dennis (author) (1876-1938)

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] [This very charming gentleman] This very charming gentleman, extremely old and gruff, He slowly shook his head and took a great big pinch of snuff. Then he spluttered and he muttered and he … [Read more...] about [This very charming gentleman] [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Good Night And so, Good Night. I’m rather tired. I hardly thought I’d be required To draw a lot of pictures, too, When I arranged to write for you. I found it hard, but did my best; And now I … [Read more...] about Good Night [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Publisher I’d like to be a publisher, and publish massive tomes Written in a massive style by blokes with massive domes — Science books, and histories of Egypt’s day and Rome’s, Books of … [Read more...] about The Publisher [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Lullaby You are much too big to dandle, And I will not leave the candle. Go to sleep. . You are growing naughty, rather, And I’ll have to speak to father. Go to sleep! If you’re good I shall … [Read more...] about Lullaby [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921 (page 114). This book has four poems entitled “Bird Song”, on pages 48, 63, 108, and 114.] Bird Song I suspect the Kookaburra, For his methods are not thorough In his highly praised campaign … [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.] Polly Dibbs Mrs. Dibbs — Polly Dibbs, Standing at a tub, Washing other people’s clothes — Rub — Rub — Rub. Poor, old, skinny arms White with soapy foam — At night she takes her shabby … [Read more...] about Polly Dibbs [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] A Change of Air Now, a man in Oodnadatta He grew fat, and he grew fatter, Though he hardly had a thing to eat for dinner; While a man in Booboorowie Often sat and wondered how he Could … [Read more...] about A Change of Air [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] Upon the Road to Rockabout Upon the road to Rockabout I came upon some sheep — A large and woolly flock about As wide as it was deep. I was about to turn about To ask the man to tell Some … [Read more...] about Upon the Road to Rockabout [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Feast Cackle and lay, cackle and lay! How many eggs did you get to-day? Two in the manger, and four in the shed, Six in the box where the chickens are fed, Two in the tussocks and ten in … [Read more...] about The Feast [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Famine Cackle and lay, cackle and lay! How many eggs did you get to-day? None in the manger, and none in the shed, None in the box where the chickens are fed, None in the tussocks and none … [Read more...] about The Famine [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.] The Sailor I’d like to be a sailor — a sailor bold and bluff — Calling out, “Ship ahoy!” in manly tones and gruff. I’d learn to box the compass, and to reef and tack and luff; I’d sniff and … [Read more...] about The Sailor [poem by C. J. Dennis]

[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921 (page 108). This book has four poems entitled “Bird Song”, on pages 48, 63, 108, and 114.] Bird Song I detest the Carrion Crow! (He’s a raven, don’t you know?) He’s a greedy glutton, also, and a … [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.] 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]