Poems For Kids

I can’t see you, mama. But I can hardly wait oh To touch and to feel you, mama Oh, I just can’t keep away In the heat and the steam of the city Ooh, it’s got me running and I just can’t brake So say you’ll help me, mama ‘Cause it’s getting so hard, ooh Now I can’t keep you, …

When you came into the world, she held you in her arms. You thanked her by wailing like a banshee. When you were 1 year old, she fed you and bathed you. You thanked her by crying all night long. When you were 2 years old, she taught you to walk. You thanked her by running away when she called. …

I don’t remember much about when I was born But I know you took care of me all day long I see photos of me making mess after mess Mother, when ever did you get any rest? I’m glad you’re my mother and I’m glad I’m your child I’m sorry if sometimes I act way too wild but I know …

Sung to the tune of I’iv Been Working on the Railroad Kind of? M — is for the million things she gives me O — means only that she’s soft to hold T — for the things she tries to teach me H — is for her heart of purest gold E — for her eyes with love light shining …

It stands immobile, Fender bent around bulge, steel twined into flesh, horn locked into fender. Both, supine. A buffalo curled dead into a truck’s dented front. ∼ Vivek Narayanan

January, February, March, The cold is harsh. April, May, June, Summer will be over soon. July, August, September, Rain we love to remember. October, November, December, Time to take out coat & furs. ∼ Sanjay Ahluwalia

I am a duck-billed platypus— A very curious creature! My fur is brown, my nose is flat— My most important feature! My tail’s flat, too; my toes are webbed; I live beside the water. I lay two eggs below the ground, And hatch my son and daughter. I mainly feed on snails and worms, And underneath the river I dig …

In March the wind just blows a gale, And whisks the leaves o’er hill and dale. It turns the clouds quite inside out, And tosses branches round about. The early lambs they kick and play, And gambol and jump the live-long day. Their mothers look anxiously around, In case their babies can’t be found! And now the winter’s nearly through, …

I’m Lucy the Ladybird. You’d never guess, I had four little wings, Hidden in my red dress, Unless you should see me Flying away, Some day in the garden, When you’re out at play. ∼ Porter G., Hilda Offen, Pradera, Esme Eve, Alan Jesset, Richard Hooke

Last night I made a man out of pillows and forgotten fragments of clothes we’d pushed into my drawers. I held my pillow-man’s hand and made sure he wasn’t too warm because it is summer; I’m on the second floor; and that was always your biggest complaint. This morning I tried to shower but would turn off the water and …