Poems and Stories

Here are a few of my creations!

Knitting Norman

Norman was a caterpillar,
who really loved to knit.
He had a hundred balls of wool
and for hours he would sit.
~
He knitted hats and knitted socks
and knitted scarves and more.
Bright reds and greens and polka dots
and rainbow stripes galore.
~

He knitted from the crack of dawn,
until the sun went down.
He’d truly knitted everything,
for everyone in town.
~
It wasn’t ‘til one chilly day,
poor Norman caught the flu.
He felt so ill he couldn’t knit,
his hands were cold and blue.
~
“This isn’t right,” his friends all thought,
“poor Norman needs a rest,
we’ll share our woolly things with him,
a hat, a scarf and vest.”
~
Now Norman was much warmer
and his hands they weren’t so blue.
It’s nice to give a present,
but it’s nice to get one too!

The Biscuit Monster

I bet you’ve always wondered how a biscuit monster looks,
as you won’t have seen his picture in very many books.
He isn’t like your average, with scary teeth and claws,
in fact he has a friendly grin and soft and fluffy paws.
~
He’s big and round and wears a hat, bright blue it has a bobble
and he’s always on the lookout for a biscuit he can gobble.
He hides inside the cupboard crouched on all four feet,
waiting for the chance to steal a yummy biscuit treat.
~
His table manners aren’t the best, he’s always dropping crumbs,
and holding onto biscuits is quite hard with just three thumbs.
He always has a mouthful and his friends all have to duck,
as biscuit bits fly as he speaks and covers them in muck!
~
He eats biscuits for his breakfast and biscuits for his lunch.
and if you listen carefully you may even hear him munch.
Chocolate crunch and strawberry jam, biscuits of all kinds,
he really isn’t fussy; he’ll eat any that he finds.
~
So if you hear a shuffle in the middle of the night,
or strange munching, crunching sounds as you reach out for the light,
You’ll know it’s him and no one else, off for a bite to eat
and that the biscuit monster’s nice…if ever you should meet.

(© Sarah Cookson)

Spiders just don’t fly!

~
He climbed whilst watching telly,
he climbed whilst eating toast.
He really did a lot of climbing,
in fact, much more than most.
~
But Hank was getting very bored,
he really was quite tired,
he dreamt of new adventures,
it was FLYING he desired!
~
His friends all laughed as they looked up
at hank sat in a tree,
perched on a branch all set to go
his face filled full of glee.
~
A leap so big and legs out wide,
in hope of taking off.
But sadly poor old Hank just fell
and landed with a cough.
~
Whilst sitting sullen on a stone,
He had a bright idea…
“I’ll make a web both big and wide
to catapult me higher!”
~
Around two poles he spun a web,
then stretched it far, right out.
He sat inside and held on tight,
he’d fly for sure, no doubt.
~
His friends all gathered round to see
as Hank sat calm and steady.
His goggles and his pilot’s scarf
all neatly at the ready.
~
“Don’t do it!” cried the Ladybird
“you’re not supposed to fly,
your legs are meant for climbing
not for zooming way up high.”
~
But Hank was staying focused,
as he stretched with all his might.
The web now taught and ready
to eject him into flight.
~
With a ‘TWANG,’ “WOOHOO!” .
Hank cried, as he shot into the air “I’m flying, yes I’m flying
feel the wind rush through my hair!”
~
Down below he saw his friends
all staring up in shock,
for they all knew that what went up…
would fall, just like a rock.
~
Just as feared they realised,
he was now on his way down,
heading for a great big pond
and worried he might drown.
~
SPLOSH! He landed with a PLOP.
The water swirling round,
he grabbed a log and climbed aboard
and soon was safe and sound.
~
“I think I’ll stick to climbing
and I know exactly why,
it’s what I’m really good at
and spiders just don’t fly!!”

The Robin

What a faithful little bird,

I see you're here to stay.

When nothing else at all is heard,

You brighten up my day.

A breast so big and red and round,

A song so sweet and loud.

On gate posts you may well be found,

So small but brave and proud.

So come on in and have some seed,

The garden is all yours.

I love to see you as you feed,

Then off to do some chores!

The Badger

It's quiet and quite eerie

In this woodland where you roam.

The leaves so dark and rustly,

But to you, it is your home.

So shy and very timid,

I wonder will we see?

A sniffing nose or stripy face

Would fill me full of glee!

At night is when you like to play,

And forage for your tea.

For me, well I should be asleep,

So goodnight to you, from me xx

The Weasel

A funny little head

Pops up to say hello.

What are you doing might I ask?

You've gone back down below.

A cheeky little chap,

Flitting to and fro.

I think you might just need a rest,

You're always on the go!

Are you looking for a tasty treat?

Or are you playing just for fun?

I love your cheeky little face

A wink and off you run!

Red Kites

Beneath that piecing stare,

beyond the stern expression,

I'm saddened by the pain I see

a truly sick confession.

Your beauty holds me breathless,

sunlight pouring through your gown.

Chestnut wings so effortless,

to me you wear the crown.

That you were almost gone,

no longer here to spy,

leaves dread deep down inside my soul,

and anger as I cry...

A second chance I'm glad of,

to see you soar up high.

A promise now, I truly hope,

you'll share my children's sky.

Hannah’s Hide and the Golden Acorn

The yard was just like any other yard, long and grey with broken slabs and a washing line strung from the house. The shed at the bottom was old, half hidden with creeping brambles and an old bicycle. Hannah loved to play in the yard, but she secretly wished she had a big garden with trees to climb and grass and bushes to play hide and seek in. Today, Hannah was pretending to be an explorer, off in search of adventure and fun. As she tiptoed down the path she noticed the door to the shed was slightly open. “Must be worth a little look!” she thought. She slowly opened the shed door and peeped in. Wonky shelves and cobwebs lined the wooden walls. The bench was cluttered with plant pots and seed trays and the small window above looked out onto the wall at the bottom of the yard.

As she looked around, she noticed a little leather bag, which hung on a nail by the window. Hannah reached over and un-hooked the bag. Inside was an old pair of binoculars. “How strange” Hannah thought as she lifted them up to take a peek. With a blink and a gasp, Hannah couldn’t believe her eyes! The little shed had been transformed into a magical hide, through which she could see anything her imagination desired! As she looked through the window there were tall trees, as far as the eye could see and sunlight that streaked through the gaps, dancing on the mossy woodland floor. The sound of bird song filled her ears and the musty woodland scent tickled her nose. Hannah stared in disbelief, knowing for sure that there most definitely wasn’t woodland in her back yard! “Well hello!” A voice shattered the silence making Hannah jump. “Are you here to help?” the voice continued. There in front of her was a rather worried looking squirrel. “Are… are you talking to me?” Hannah stuttered. “Well yes” replied the squirrel. “I don’t have much time left you know, we have to get a move on!” With that the squirrel jumped onto a nearby branch “Just watch your step and keep up!” To Hannah’s amazement she found herself stumbling over leaves and hopping over logs as she tried to follow the squirrel. It leapt along like an acrobat, swinging on branches above her head and bouncing off trees with great ease. Hannah ran behind trying her hardest to keep up.

“Here we are!” The squirrel stopped beneath a tall Oak tree. I have to collect as many acorns as I can before the winter comes, will you help?” “Oh I would love to”, replied Hannah. It was great fun, like a giant game of hide and seek. Suddenly there was a crash and a loud and noisy squawking sound. From behind a tree appeared a large bird with bright blue feathers on its wings. “Sorry to startle you,” the bird cackled, “didn’t see that tree! I’m looking for acorns, I don’t suppose you’ve seen any? “Hello Mr Jay, I see you are collecting for the winter too” said the squirrel. Hannah didn’t realise collecting acorns was so important. “I’ll help you both” she smiled. It didn’t take the three of them very long to collect a big pile of acorns and there was plenty for both the squirrel and the Jay to share. “Thank you very much” said the Jay “Yes, thank you we couldn’t have done it so quickly without your help” beamed the squirrel, “As a token of my gratitude I have a little something for you. The squirrel gave her a beautiful golden acorn. “Gosh its lovely, thank you!” gasped Hannah. She put the shiny acorn safely in her pocket. “We will now have plenty of food for the winter and for that I am very grateful.” Then, with a wave and a smile and a flick of his bushy tail he hopped off into the woodland.

“Hannah, Hannah! Its time for supper.” It was mum. Hannah looked up to find herself back in the shed, everything just as she had left it. She looked quickly back through the window only to see the wall at the back of the yard, as usual. Her binoculars still hung around her neck. “Hannah, are you out there?” Shouted mum once more. “Coming” replied Hannah. As Hannah sat ready to eat, she suddenly remembered the acorn. Surely her woodland adventure had just been a dream? As she reached inside her pocket she pulled out the beautiful golden acorn. “Ooh, what have you got sweetheart?” asked mum. Hannah smiled a big smile and held it close to her chest “Oh nothing much, just something I found in the shed.” She went to sleep that night with the binoculars close by and her golden acorn under her pillow and she dreamt of woodland adventures. What would she see tomorrow she wondered?