Our theme for this year’s National Science Week was WATER. Evie’s poem, accompanied by Dr James R Carter‘s photographs and website link featured in Australian Children’s Poetry.
Ice Flowers by Evie
(Whitfield State School)
Such complexity and beauty
In a simple form
But only cold conditions:
Winter and Autumn.
The sap in the stem escapes
Thin cracks will form
Then water is drawn
It touches the air
Ice petals will form.
That is how an ice flower is born.
Ravishing and rare
Not found everywhere
Of course green plants can create
Yet also on wood, a fence or a gate
Where water comes through the gate’s pores
The forces push this delicate cause.
So tempting to touch
But wait, don’t rush
Ice flowers will break.
Don’t make the mistake
Instead snap your lens
For the longest keepsake.
Destructive Floods by Charlie
(Whitfield State School)
Life needs water to survive.
It’s nature’s way to give and provide.
But floods can cause rivers to rise and rise.
Like tears that well-up in our eyes.
Flooding water’s might and power
can crush us like a flimsy flower
and cut its way through rocky land.
Beware flood’s harsh destructive hand.
But floods can have a positive side.
Spreading water far and wide.
Giving plants a long life-span.
Helping heal the dried-up land.
Water Worldwide by Jonathon
(Whitfield State School)
Cascading into Consciousness by Sharon Davson
Water glistens, shiny and clear.
From every stream runs Earth’s long tear.
Its floods can cause a lot of strife
and yet it is the gift of life.
Water problems happen worldwide.
With too much water many have died.
With too little water; nothing lives.
So water takes and water gives.
Dripping Icicles by Jimin
(Whitfield State School)
Icicles shimmering, clear and cold.
Icicles glistening, standing out bold.
They hang in all sizes from short and long.
Brittle and fragile, but also strong.
When icicles melt, then puddles will form
when winter is done and the weather turns warm.
Dripping in rhythms and plopping in rhyme
they’ll come back again … another time!
Dewy Dewy Droplets by Coby
(Whitfield State School)
Dewy, dewy droplets
sitting on my chair
condensing little water bubbles
from the humid air.
Shiny, dewy droplets
catch the morning sun
scattering sunshine everywhere
from each and every one.
Dewy, dewy droplets
cold upon my feet
trickling into water streams
from my body heat.
Diamond, dewy droplets
on a spider’s thread
strung in tiny teardrop shapes
spread rainbows on my bed.
Fragile Icicle Flowers by Hannah
(Whitfield State School)
Ice Flowers made of H2O
don’t need the Sun for them to grow.
Ice Flowers form at the base of some plants.
It seems they appear simply by chance.
When soil is moist and night air cold
capillary action takes a hold.
As water rises from the earth
it freezes, making flowers birth.
Ice Flowers are shining bright
as the mystical moon casts its light.
Each tiny icicle curves and squiggles,
creating those flowery waves and wiggles.
Winter Wonders by Hannah
(Whitfield State School)
Up you look, up you look.
Identical icicles all in a row,
Watch them melt.
Down you look, down you look.
See super shimmering shiny snow,
All around.
Six-sided crystals in H2O
Where white winter wonders
Feel “Ho! Ho! Ho!”
A Solution for Life by Sukarma Rani Thareja & Celia Berrell
I am water.
I am in your cells.
I am your friend, not your enemy.
Two hydrogen atoms
and one oxygen atom
make up my molecule.
Two hydrogen bonds between molecules
are my special feature,
benefitting all life’s future.
Though I can be recycled,
you pollute me faster than
I can be cleaned by nature.
In my purest form
I deliver health and happiness
to humans, animals and plants.
But unclean water
delivers death and sickness
with no choices; without exceptions.
So please save me from pollution.
My gift is then life.
The best possible solution.
Be Like Water by Moona Perrotin
Water flows, it dissolves and lubricates.
Water holds the world together in a cycle
of rain, ice, snow and river flow.
As mist it rises, as fog it conceals.
It can form clouds and rain down
gathering in streams that flow into the sea.
Lakes create abundance via edges of reeds.
Muddy ground brings forth fish, tadpoles
and insects that feed the birds.
Lake water seeps into the surrounding land.
Creating fertile ground and attracting animals
to drink from the same water source.
Water can bring peace, or be reason for war.
Water reflects the heavens or is tumultuous
like hell. Water is life-giver.
When too hot the sun shines
water is versatile.
Be like water, alive!
David J Delaney has published four poetry books and has been published worldwide. He loves travelling around Australia, sharing his enthusiasm for the country’s landscapes in verse. He has also gained significant recognition for his pieces about War Veterans.
Ocean Life by David J Delaney
Cooling breezes whisper
rustling leaves that talk
weathered trees of history
where crustaceans walk
Crystal ocean rolling
shades of blue and green
vibrant coral colours
paint a living scene
Mother Ocean’s stories
moonlight shadows swell
gentle waves are speaking
hidden tales they tell
Vessels, rocking, thrashing
stronger winds now wail
heaving closer daily
ancient people sail
Virgin sands they’re walking
in this morning dew
feasting seafood’s freshness
toasting life anew.
Kristin Martin writes funny poems for children. When she heard we were seeking science poems about water, she kindly offered to share her poem about the Water Cycle.
A Water Drop’s Adventure by Kristin Martin
I’d like to be a water drop
that’s what I’d like to be.
I’d float with other water drops
out in the wide blue sea.
Until, one warm and sunny day
I’d rise into the sky.
You might say I’d evaporate
but I’d say, I would fly.
I’d fly with other water drops;
we’d soar in bath-warm air.
But soon we’d cool, and we’d condense.
So what? I wouldn’t care.
I’d be together with my friends.
We’d be a big white cloud!
We’d look majestic in the sky.
I’m sure I would feel proud.
The wind would push us tenderly
across the sea to land.
I’d watch the water far below
lap gently on the sand.
But soon we’d reach the mountain range
and float up far too high.
The air would grow too cold for clouds!
We’d have to say goodbye.
Our cloud would have to break apart.
Each drop would meet their fate.
You’d either say we’d fall as rain
or we’d precipitate.
Once on the ground I’d trickle down
until I found a creek.
That creek would carry me towards
the bottom of a peak.
Our creek would merge with other creeks:
a river we would be.
I’d float with other water drops
out in the wide blue sea.
My journey would be at an end
I’d be where I’d begun.
But I could do it all again!
Now wouldn’t that be fun?
Reinhold Mangundu is an environmental activist in Namibia and youth advocate.
Mother Earth by Reinhold Mangundu
Green and gorgeous, healthy and pretty
loving and caring, she made us happy.
Pittering-patter, fell rain on leaves.
Green and bushy the grateful trees.
Flipping their wings, birds sing their salvation
to Mother Earth, the best creation.
Now hold her close
and share your connection.
This year’s feature author was Pamela Galeano with her picture-book Glissandra the Glider. As well as hearing an accomplished published author read some of their own work, we learnt aspects of Pam’s writing journey as well.
