Our Bad Tempered Tail Slapper
We once found a mermaid
in the cupboard under the stairs.
A tail slapper, she was.
A bad tempered mischief maker, she was.
She used to shout and grumble,
bang the old tumble drier door shut.
Once she broke the tumble drier.
I will never forget that.
She slapped her tail on the wall.
She shouted she wanted a fight.
She banged and crashed.
She drove my dad mad.
She kept us up all night.
I really want to show you her
but I’m afriad she’s gone.
Mum left her in Australia
bribed with lemon bon bons.
I don’t miss that mermaid
because now we have some peace
but she was a fun adventure
for my family.
My Bird
she is a
master of the sky
a smooth-glider
calm worm-hunter
zooming through the clouds
a silky blur
searching for dinner
gliding back
to my hand.
A chirpy feather ball
a caring mother
looking out.
My bird
master of the sky.
by Abigail Kerry
primary school
Painting by Waterhouse
Angela Topping 