CSD Poetry

Hot Cross buns Hot-cross buns! Hot-cross buns! One a penny, two a penny, Hot-cross buns! If you have no daughters, Give them to your sons. One a penny, two a penny, Hot-cross buns!

To Market To Market To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, Home again, home again, jiggety jig. To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, Home again, home again, jiggety jig.

Jack Be Nimble Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candlestick.

Wee Willie Winkie Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town, Upstairs and downstairs, in his nightgown, Tapping at the window, crying at the lock, “Are the babes in their beds? For it’s now eight o’clock.”

Sing a Song of Sixpence Sing a song of sixpence, A pocket full of rye; Four-and-twenty blackbirds Baked in a pie. When the pie was opened The birds began to sing; Wasn’t that a dainty dish To set before the king?

Cobbler Cobbler Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe Get it done by half past two; Stitch it up, and stitch it down, Make the finest shoes in town.

Little Boy Blue Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn! The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn. Where is the boy that looks after the sheep? Under the haystack, fast asleep!

Old Mother Hubbard Old Mother Hubbard Went to the cupboard To get her poor dog a bone; But when she got there The cupboard was bare, And so the poor dog had none.

One Two Buckle My Shoe One, two, buckle my shoe; Three, four, knock at the door; Five, Six, pick up sticks; Seven, eight, lay them straight; Nine, Ten, a good fat hen; Eleven, Twelve, did and delve; Thirteen, Fourteen, maids a counting; Fifteen, sixteen, maids in the kitchen; Seventeen, eighteen, maids a-waiting. Nineteen, twenty, my plate’s empty.

Little Miss Muffet Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Eating some curds and whey. Along came a spider, Who sat down beside her, And frightened Miss Muffett away.

Hey Diddle Diddle Hey, diddle, diddle! The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed To see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Mary, Mary Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? Silver bells and cockleshells, And pretty maids all in a row?

Humpty Dumpty Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses, and all the king’s men Couldn’t put Humpty together again.

Apple Tree Rose Fyleman I STOOD beneath the apple-tree, The apples were so good to see ; Very high above my head I saw them shining round and red. A robin sang a tiny song, And after I had waited long A fairy in the apple-tree Threw an apple down to me.

Singing Time Rose Fyleman I wake in the morning early And always, the very first thing, I poke out my head and I sit up in bed And I sing and I sing and I sing.

There Was an Old Man With a Nose Edward Lear There was an Old Man with a nose, Who said, 'If you choose to suppose, That my nose is too long, You are certainly wrong!' That remarkable Man with a nose.

There Was an Old Man With a Beard Edward Lear There was an Old Man with a beard, Who said, "It is just as I feared!— Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren, Have all built their nests in my beard.

The Yak Hillaire Belloc As a friend to the children commend me the Yak. You will find it exactly the thing: It will carry and fetch, you can ride on its back, Or lead it about with a string. The Tartar who dwells on the plains of Thibet (A desolate region of snow) Has for centuries made it a nursery pet, And surely the Tartar should know! Then tell your papa where the Yak can be got, And if he is awfully rich He will buy you the creature—or else he will ​not. (I cannot be positive which.)

The Elephant Hillaire Belloc When people call this beast to mind, They marvel more and more At such a little tail behind, So large a trunk before.

The Vulture Hillaire Belloc The Vulture eats between his meals, And that's the reason why He very, very, rarely feels As well as you and I. His eye is dull, his head is bald, His neck is growing thinner. Oh! what a lesson for us all To only eat at dinner!

The Porcupine Ogden Nash Any hound a porcupine nudges Can't be blamed for harboring grudges. I know one hound that laughed all winter At a porcupine that sat on a splinter.

The Ostrich Ogden Nash The ostrich roams the great Sahara. Its mouth is wide, its neck is narra. It has such long and lofty legs, I'm glad it sits to lay its eggs.

Ooey Gooey Author Unknown Oooey Gooey was a worm, A mighty worm was he. He stepped upon the railroad tracks, The train he did not see! Oooey Gooey!

Who are you little, i e.e. cummings who are you,little i (five or six years old) peering from some high window; at the gold of november sunset (and feeling: that if day has to become night this is a beautiful way)

maggie and milly and molly and may e.e. cummings maggy and milly and molly and may went down to the beach(to play one day) and maggie discovered a shell that sang so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles, and milly befriended a stranded star whose rays five languid fingers were; and molly was chased by a horrible thing which raced sideways while blowing bubbles: and may came home with a smooth round stone as small as a world and as large as alone. For whatever we lose (like a you or a me) its always ourselves we find in the sea

Who has Seen the Wind Christina Rossetti Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you: But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I: But when the trees bow down their heads, The wind is passing by.

My Gift Christina Rossetti What can I give Him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb, If I were a Wise Man I would do my part,-- Yet what I can I give Him, Give my heart.

A Riddle Christina Rossetti There is one that has a head without an eye, And there's one that has an eye without a head. You may find the answer if you try; And when all is said, Half the answer hangs upon a thread.

What is Pink Christina Rossetti What is pink? A rose is pink By the fountain's brink. What is red? A poppy's red In its barley bed. What is blue? The sky is blue Where the clouds float through. What is white? A swan is white Sailing in the light. What is yellow? Pears are yellow, Rich and ripe and mellow. What is green? The grass is green, With small flowers between. What is violet? Clouds are violet In the summer twilight. What is orange? Why, an orange, Just an orange!

What are Heavy Christina Rossetti What are heavy? Sea-sand and sorrow; What are brief? Today and tomorrow; What are frail? Spring blossoms and youth; What are deep? The ocean and truth.

The Moon Robert Louis Stevenson The moon has a face like the clock in the hall; She shines on thieves on the garden wall, On streets and fields and harbour quays, And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees. The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse, The howling dog by the door of the house, The bat that lies in bed at noon, All love to be out by the light of the moon. But all of the things that belong to the day Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way; And flowers and children close their eyes Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.

Happy Thought Robert Louis Stevenson The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings.

The Land of Nod Robert Louis Stevenson From breakfast on through all the day At home among my friends I stay, But every night I go abroad Afar into the land of Nod. All by myself I have to go, With none to tell me what to do — All alone beside the streams And up the mountain-sides of dreams. The strangest things are there for me, Both things to eat and things to see, And many frightening sights abroad Till morning in the land of Nod. Try as I like to find the way, I never can get back by day, Nor can remember plain and clear The curious music that I hear.

The Swing Robert Louis Stevenson How do you like to go up in a swing, Up in the air so blue? Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing Ever a child can do! Up in the air and over the wall, Till I can see so wide, Rivers and trees and cattle and all Over the countryside— Till I look down on the garden green, Down on the roof so brown— Up in the air I go flying again, Up in the air and down!

At the Seaside Robert Louis Stevenson When I was down beside the sea A wooden spade they gave to me To dig the sandy shore. My holes were empty like a cup. In every hole the sea came up, Till it could come no more.

Jabberwocky Lewis Carrol ’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. “Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!” He took his vorpal sword in hand; Long time the manxome foe he sought— So rested he by the Tumtum tree And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back. “And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” He chortled in his joy. ’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.

How Doth the Little Crocodile Lewis Carrol How doth the little crocodile Improve his shining tail, And pour the waters of the Nile On every golden scale! How cheerfully he seems to grin How neatly spreads his claws, And welcomes little fishes in, With gently smiling jaws!

The Scarecrow Walter de la Mare All winter through I bow my head beneath the driving rain; the North Wind powders me with snow and blows me black again; at midnight 'neath a maze of stars I flame with glittering rime, and stand above the stubble, stiff as mail at morning-prime. But when that child called Spring, and all his host of children come, scattering their buds and dew upon these acres of my home, some rapture in my rags awakes; I lift void eyes and scan the sky for crows, those ravening foes, of my strange master, Man. I watch him striding lank behind his clashing team, and know soon will the wheat swish body high where once lay a sterile snow; soon I shall gaze across a sea of sun-begotten grain, which my unflinching watch hath sealed for harvest once again.

Some One Walter de la Mare Some one came knocking At my wee, small door; Someone came knocking; I'm sure-sure-sure; I listened, I opened, I looked to left and right, But nought there was a stirring In the still dark night; Only the busy beetle Tap-tapping in the wall, Only from the forest The screech-owl's call, Only the cricket whistling While the dewdrops fall, So I know not who came knocking, At all, at all, at all.

Captain Hook Shel Silverstein Captain Hook must remember Not to scratch his toes. Captain Hook must watch out And never pick his nose. Captain Hook must be gentle When he shakes your hand. Captain Hook must be careful Openin' sardine cans And playing tag and pouring tea And turnin' pages of his book. Lots of folks I'm glad I ain't-- But mostly Captain Hook!

Where the Sidewalk Ends Shel Silverstein There is a place where the sidewalk ends And before the street begins, And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moon-bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind. Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black And the dark street winds and bends. Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And watch where the chalk-white arrows go To the place where the sidewalk ends. Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go, For the children, they mark, and the children, they know The place where the sidewalk ends.

Needles and Pins Shel Silverstein Needles and pins, Needles and pins, Sew me a sail To catch me the wind. Sew me a sail Strong as the gale, Carpenter, bring out your Hammers and nails. Hammers and nails, Hammers and nails, Build me a boat To go chasing the whales. Chasing the whales, Sailing the blue, Find me a captain And sign me a crew. Captain and crew, Captain and crew, Take me, oh take me To anywhere new.

Fog Carl Sandburg The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.

The Ecchoing Green William Blake The sun does arise, And make happy the skies. The merry bells ring To welcome the Spring. The sky-lark and thrush, The birds of the bush, Sing louder around, To the bells’ cheerful sound. While our sports shall be seen On the Ecchoing Green. Old John, with white hair Does laugh away care, Sitting under the oak, Among the old folk, They laugh at our play, And soon they all say. ‘Such, such were the joys. When we all girls & boys, In our youth-time were seen, On the Ecchoing Green.’ Till the little ones weary No more can be merry The sun does descend, And our sports have an end: Round the laps of their mothers, Many sisters and brothers, Like birds in their nest, Are ready for rest; And sport no more seen, On the darkening Green.

The Lamb William Blake Little Lamb who made thee Dost thou know who made thee Gave thee life & bid thee feed. By the stream & o'er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing wooly bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Making all the vales rejoice! Little Lamb who made thee Dost thou know who made thee Little Lamb I'll tell thee, Little Lamb I'll tell thee! He is called by thy name, For he calls himself a Lamb: He is meek & he is mild, He became a little child: I a child & thou a lamb, We are called by his name. Little Lamb God bless thee. Little Lamb God bless thee.

The Tyger William Blake Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies. Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand, dare seize the fire? And what shoulder, & what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? & what dread feet? What the hammer? what the chain, In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp, Dare its deadly terrors clasp! When the stars threw down their spears And water'd heaven with their tears: Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee? Tyger Tyger burning bright, In the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye, Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

“Hope” is the thing with feathers - (314) Emily Dickinson “Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all - And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - And sore must be the storm - That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm - I’ve heard it in the chillest land - And on the strangest Sea - Yet - never - in Extremity, It asked a crumb - of me.

I’m nobody! Who are you? - (260) Emily Dickinson I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too? Then there's a pair of us -- don't tell! They'd banish -- you know! How dreary to be somebody! How public like a frog To tell one's name the livelong day To an admiring bog!

A Bird, came down the Walk - (359) Emily Dickinson A Bird, came down the Walk - He did not know I saw - He bit an Angle Worm in halves And ate the fellow, raw, And then, he drank a Dew From a convenient Grass - And then hopped sidewise to the Wall To let a Beetle pass - He glanced with rapid eyes, That hurried all abroad - They looked like frightened Beads, I thought, He stirred his Velvet Head. - Like one in danger, Cautious, I offered him a Crumb, And he unrolled his feathers, And rowed him softer Home - Than Oars divide the Ocean, Too silver for a seam, Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon, Leap, plashless as they swim.

THE MOON Was But a Chin of Gold - (103) Emily Dickinson The Moon was but a Chin of Gold A Night or two ago – And now she turns Her perfect Face Upon the World below – Her Forehead is of Amplest Blonde – Her Cheek – a Beryl hewn – Her Eye unto the Summer Dew The likest I have known – Her Lips of Amber never part – But what must be the smile Upon Her Friend she could confer Were such Her Silver Will – And what a privilege to be But the remotest Star – For Certainty She take Her Way Beside Your Palace Door – Her Bonnet is the Firmament – The Universe – Her Shoe – The Stars – the Trinkets at Her Belt – Her Dimities – of Blue.