January 2019
Author's Note: For the last two months I’ve been introducing my grandchildren, in birth order, Bella, Jett, Eleanor, Max, Emmanuel and James. As well as writing about them I’ve also written for them. Here are three of many. I hope that in them there is some small pleasure of observation and perhaps whimsy that may also appeal to adults. They are all visual poems and I tried to make them musical too so children can enjoy both image and sound. I fantasise they lend themselves to illustration and reading aloud. Any artists out there?
Learning to Walk.
- For my grandchildren.
Almost from when its life has begun
the baby antelope can gambol and run.
The same thing is true, of course,
of the very lovely baby horse.
The infant giraffe first kneels on its knees
then stands and runs with incredible ease.
A little monkey from a high, high branch
leaps out boldly without risk or chance.
A baby elephant weighs one tenth of a tonne
but soon walks beside its three tonne Mum.
The tiny elver, it would seem,
can very easily swim upstream.
All these babies can swim, stand or run
but humans don’t walk before they are one.
For months they wave a leg or arm,
giggle, gurgle, cry and charm.
At four months they begin to roll,
alas! without very much control.
At eight months animals frolic without falling,
the very age when baby starts crawling.
Then she teeters, wobbles and finally stands.
Crack open the champers! Strike up the band!
Mum and Dad are proud and excited.
She, of course, is truly delighted
For what she sees beyond the door
is a thrilling world she must explore.
Yes, baby humans will walk at one.
Their grand adventure has begun.
The Very Best Pet.
- For my grandchildren.
Some people have unusual pets-
a pig, a python, a fish or frog-
but none of them can ever compare
to the commonplace, marvellous dog.
You think she's dozing by the hearth
but she’s always got an eye on you.
She knows exactly how you’re feeling,
she knows exactly what to do.
When you are upset then she
will place her muzzle on your knee,
gaze at you with gentle eyes
and give you wonderful sympathy.
When you come home from school
her greeting makes a dull day bright.
Her ears go sleek, she'll bark with joy,
shake and wag in pure delight.
Can you take a python for a walk?
Is a frog a blind man’s guide?
Can a fish be taught to sit and stay?
Will a pig lie faithfully by your side?
For slithering snake the answer is no.
So too for fish, frog or grunting hog
but a friend and companion for all their short life
is the loving, loyal and wonderful dog.
”The Plum Tree”, by Brenda Creighton
The Plum Tree.
- For my grandchildren.
Look little ones,
the leaves have turned yellow,
the sky is pure blue,
the day mild and mellow.
Look little ones,
the tree is now bare,
there’s frost in the morning
and cold everywhere.
Look little ones,
there’s buds on the trees,
flowers are blossoming
and buzzing with bees.
Look little ones,
in this blossoming blooming
the cycle of life
is forever renewing.
- For my grandchildren.
Look little ones,
the leaves have turned yellow,
the sky is pure blue,
the day mild and mellow.
Look little ones,
the tree is now bare,
there’s frost in the morning
and cold everywhere.
Look little ones,
there’s buds on the trees,
flowers are blossoming
and buzzing with bees.
Look little ones,
in this blossoming blooming
the cycle of life
is forever renewing.
© 2018 Neil Creighton
Editor's Note: If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the author (email address above) to tell him or her. You might say what it is about the poem that moves you. Writing to the author is the beginning of community at Verse Virtual. It is very important. -FF