A Duet of Children’s Poems

These updated poems were first written by me in 2005, not for any particular reason. I tried to link them together into a series of poems about different animals either going on adventures or learning important life lessons, though that never came to fruition. Maybe one day.

The Adventure of the Little Green Fish.

When told of a treasure most grand and delightful
To be explored in a cave deep and frightful,
The little green fish took a compass in fin;
Her greatest adventure about to begin!
A problem arose around quarter past two,
When little green fish saw she hadn’t her shoe!
But where did they go? Oh no, nobody knows!
We’ve heard of fish fingers, but never fish toes.
About to go home to admit a defeat,
The green fishy realised, she didn’t have feet!
And passing this hurdle, with a swish of her tail,
To adventure once more – no way she could fail.
But wait! Thought the fish, while swimming her route;
What if I spy a monster? A horrible brute!
With terror and fear, our green fishy froze.
And should this adventure be written in prose?
But monsters aren’t real! She remarked, feeling glad.
(Concerning the writing – I find I must add,
That she is fictitious. It’s nice that you care.
A character merely, and quite unaware).
The plucky green fish, all moxy and sinew,
Pumped herself up, about to continue,
The journey most grand of this treasure-bound sleuth,
Was delayed on account of an ache in her tooth.
Her crying was heard by her mother, alert,
Who appeared there at once, for fear she was hurt.
Her mouth was inspected – above, underneath –
The verdict was simple: We fish don’t have teeth!
Swimming on, she arrived at the cavern of treasure,
The entrance was larger than her by some measure.
Filled with courage and strength, really ready to go,
She suddenly stopped, and lost all her gusto.
A treasure most grand, more than I’d ever wish,
I never could carry – I’m only a fish.
Sapphires, rubies, and studded gold dishes
Mean nothing to me – what is money to fishes?
She went home to bed (if fish have such things)
And dreamt through the night of cats that have wings,
Of fish that had toes (a sight to behold!),
And little green fishes searching for gold.

Cat’s Wish

Life in the lap of luxery, and lounging in a daze,
Was not the ideal way this kitty wished to spend his days.
Often bored when standing up, or on his derrière,
This cat so longed to spend his moments floating in the air.
He knew that had he wings to fly,
He’d catch the birds up in the sky;
He’d bob along a summer’s breeze,
Or save his friends from up in trees.
Oh, how potential could be reached,
If laws of gravity were breached,
He’d mock those stuntmen using wires,
And be the Cat the world admires.
One sunny day, about last spring,
He came upon a curious thing.
All wiggle, fuzz, with many feet,
And kibble-sized – Perhaps a treat?
About to try it out for taste,
It shouted out in panicked haste,
“Don’t eat me, friend, and I’ll advise,
the secret trick to how one flies!”
So Cat agreed, and let him pass,
Then watched him climb a blade of grass,
And craft a case in which he lazed,
To re-emerge in thirty days.
“What are those?” Cat said, “How you fly!”
“Why these? My wings!” He didn’t lie.
And Cat beheld these glorious things;
His friend that had none, now had wings!
“I ask, my friend, with all my heart,
That you, your secret will impart –
For had I wings – your expertise –
I’d want for nothing! Teach me, please?”
“Well, dear Cat, my grounded chum,
who never dreamed of me in tum,
I’ll off, but come back in a week
To give those things, those wings, you seek!”
Cat rejoiced and bid him hurry,
Away he flew in frantic flurry.
Th’admired aerial acrobat
Had promised to return to Cat.
A week he sat, anticipating.
Then a fortnight, always waiting.
Months had passed with no word spoken;
Poor Cat’s heart and dreams were broken.
Every night was just the same;
Caterpillar never came.
Cat grew old and tired out,
Though never did the promise doubt.
“He’ll be here soon – up in the air;
With wings for me, I’m sure he’s there.
He made a promise, that he’ll keep.”
And Cat, still waiting, curled to sleep.
What now to say for him betrayed?
The Cat that trusted, longed, and stayed.
The lesson learned is to beware –
Don’t trust an Ex-Caterpillár.
Ever thought that cats are lazy?
Here’s a thought that’s not so crazy:
When they stare out to the sky,
They’re waiting for a chance to fly.