The Rival Arrives

Tom, take the baby out the fridge

And put the milk back in.

We know you are not used to him

And think he makes a din,

But I’m afraid he’s here to stay

And he is rather cute,

So you’ll have to stop insisting

He goes in the car-boot.

And please stop telling all your friends

We bought him in a sale,

Or that he’s a free sample

We received in the mail.

He was not found in a trolley

At the local Mothercare,

And a family did not give him us

Because they’d one to spare.

You should look on the bright side, Tom.

In just a year or two

You will have someone else to blame

For the wicked things you do.

to make a din – to make a loud unpleasant noise that continues for a long time

a trolley – a large basket on wheels that you use for shopping

a Mothercare – a shop

John Foster

My Baby Brother’s Secrets

When my baby brother

wants to tell me a secret,

he comes right up close.

But instead of putting his lips

against my ear,

he presses his ear

tightly against my ear.

Then, he whispers so softly

that I can’t hear

a word he is saying.

My baby brother’s secrets

Are safe with me.

Judith Nicholls

In Praise of Aunties

An aunt

is a tender plant.

You really can’t

be too fond of an aunt.

Andrea Shavick

Auntie Betty Thinks She’s Batgirl

Aunt Betty puts her cloak on

And the mask – the one with ears.

Almost ready, check the lipstick.

Wait until the neighbours cheer.

Through the window. What a leap!

She lands right in the driver’s seat.

Off she goes with style and grace

To make our world a better place.

Paul Cookson

My Uncle Percy Once Removed

My Uncle Percy once removed

his bobble hat, scarf, overcoat,

wooly jumper, string vest,

flared trousers and purple Y-fronts

and ran on to the pitch at Wembley

during a Cup Final

and was at once removed

by six stewards and nine officers of the law.

Once they’d caught him.

bobble hat – a woolen hat with a soft small ball on the top

Y-fronts – men’s underwear

pitch – a sports field

Wembley – the most important football ground in England

Cup final – a football competition

steward – someone who is in charge of a sports event

John Foster

Borrowed Time

Great-Gran is ninety-six,

‘I’m living on borrowed time,’

she said.

‘Who did you borrow it from?’

asked my little sister.

‘Never you mind,’ said Gran.

‘I hope you said thank you,’

said my sister.

Great-Gran laughed.

‘I do,’ she said.

‘Every single day.’

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16