NONSENSE POEMS

Southland Times, Issue 23989, 2 December 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

NONSENSE POEMS

—PRIZE— When the cats begin to fly, And the kangaroos to sigh, When the cows begin to neigh, And the summer comes in May, When elephants begin to climb, And cockatoos work in a mine, When hens and chicks begin to quack, And crocodiles to build a stack. When the dogs begin to roar, And pansies grow up through the floor, When horses all begin to low, And when the geese begin to crow. When characters jump out of books, And play with mermaids in the brooks, * Then I think it will be time, To close this little Nonsense Rhyme. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Eleanor McKinnel (14), Woodlands. —PRIZE— Exploring at the Pole one day, I met an Indian making hay, And there amidst the sun and heat, I found a fish with blistered feet. Then off I went to Timbuctoo, A boisterous sea up in the blue, And there upon the gentle tide, I met a ship out for a ride. When to the hills, I thought I’d go, I met a fairy man, and Oh! The scare I got was so severe, # I’ve not gone back for over a year. I went to say “Good-day” to a deer, But an elephant hit me under the ear, I got such a fright, that I nearly died, While the elephant laughed until he cried. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Valami Ward (14), Woodlands.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— One night I woke up early, The sun was shining bright. I hurried away o’er the meadows, And saw such a comical sight.

There was a dog running up the flat hillside, Pursued by a rabbit so small, But the dog vanished into a burrow, Not a trace did he leave at all.

far away up in the green sky,

The sheep were munching the grass, And down below on the blue earth, The white clouds each other did pass.

All the trees and the bushes, Were slowly walking around, Bowing low to the golden sun, Who was resting on the ground. —3 marks to Cousin Reta Findlay (13), Pukemaori, Tuatapere R.D.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— One night when it was getting light, I went to the fiver to fish. The fish were flying through the air, And all were having a wish.

The minnows were chasing the eels, They’d catch them and have a feed, The birds were busy laying eggs, While sitting on a weed. —3 marks to Cousin Alan Lake M.A.C. (12), Section 8, Glencoe R.D.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED—

That night it was wild, and ’twas

stormy, The sun shone so brightly and clear, A cart drew a horse through the

city, And the driver came on in the rear.

The horse put his brakes on, and tooted his horn, As an elephant skipped o’er the street; sut it sat on a thistle and whistled a tune, Till the horse came and pinched its wee feet.

The horse saw a cow in the street

drinking meat, And flew to it, barking “Meeow!”' The horse chased the cow through

the Post Office clock— And it all ended there for the cow. —3 marks to Cousin Mary Maloney M.A.C. (14), Margaret street.

—HIGHLY COMMENDED— Early it was when I awoke. The sun was just going to set, High up above a bird had come down To sneer at the friend he had met.

The dogs had begun to bark, A rooster who wasn’t awake, Called from the treetops so high, Come up and give me a shake. —2 marks to Cousin Rose Ischia (14), Gore-Knapdale, R.D., Gore.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— One winter’s day in summer, When the snow was on the ground, I saw a fish in roller skates Go skating round and round. He had a pair of glasses, Many sizes too big, And on his funny scaly head He had a curly wig. When he got tired of skating .He went in for a swim, Then sunbathed in the cold wet rain, And I saw no more of him. I went along a country lane And saw a funny cow Which always stood upon his head, And all it said was “Meaw.” A little further on the road, Oh! Deary me! What’s that? I don’t think it can really be Yes it is—a cat. His whiskers are quite five feet long And I really think he looks As if—Oh! Why I’ve woken up, It all has been a dream! —3 marks to Cousin Judith Smith (13), Half Moon Bay, Stewart Island. —HIGHLY COMMENDED— This morning I went fishing in a bucket, I caught a dozen great big fish or more, The surf was shining brightly from the water, When from the, ground the rain began to pour.

—2 marks to Cousin Leonard Lake V.A.C. (12), Section 8, Glencoe R.D.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— A farmer sowed some seeds one day, And through the winter, there they

lay. At last one , fine spring morning damp, ‘ They though that they would like

a tramp. So off they set across the field, Where they were supposed to yield. Soon they came to a “seed school” And though it was almost full, They entered in and found a seat, Then shouted—“We want food to eat!” The seedy master glared so grim And all the other seeds with him: “Who are you?” quoth the master

stern: “Have you come here to eat, or

learn?” The naughty seeds all turned quite

white. They all got such a nasty, fright! They all ran out the door so fast, And reached their new-ploughed

field at last. So now they have grown big and tall, And never run away at all.

—3 marks to Cousin Mona Bell (15), Lumsden. —HIGHLY COMMENDED— Rivers so majestic and splendid Shining in the sun all night,

Mountains rippling and sparkling, Oh such a wonderful sight.

—2 marks to Cousin Vera Lake MAC, M.N. (15), Section 8, Glencoe R.D.