Susie The Cold Crow

There once was a crow and Susie was her name. But she was always cold and getting warm was her game.

She lived in an oak tree in the middle of a field. Her attempts to warm herself would never yield.

She was a busy crow with lots to do around the nest. Picking up sticks to keep it in shape and looking its best.

Flying off in search of sticks and shivering wildly. Something below caught her eye and she could make it out mildly.

It was an old woman on a bike with her basket full. Wool of every colour and not one of them dull.

Susie went about her business and came to a house. The trees in the garden were perfect for a feed of louse.

When suddenly the old woman cycled through the gate. She got off her bike and said "goodness I got home before late".

The old woman sat down on her fireside chair. She took two knitting needles out which were nesting in her hair.

Susie flew to the window and watched her knit a scarf so warm. Then felt the breeze of a cold winter storm.

She spread out her wings and jumped up into the breeze, When a sudden gust of wind blew her into the window and she began to freeze,

The woman looked up and said 'oh dear what was that noise?' She walked to the window and saw Susie in shock with wide eyes.

'You poor poor thing' said the old woman as she cradled Susie tight. She placed her in the basket and kept her there the night,

Relaxed and warm, Susie watched as the woman continued to knit. Glad of the company beside the chair on which she sit.

Susie was feeling much better the very next day. The woman brought her to the door to release her on her way.

But poor Susie began to shiver again. 

You're cold you poor thing, I have an idea then. 

The woman brought her back inside and placed her on the floor. 

She picked up a ball of blue wool and began to knit once more. 

The fire caused a warm orange glow on her kind face. 

She smiled as she knitted in her fireside place. 

She turned to the window and said "oh it is beginning to snow" 

When Susie saw the snowfall her worried face did show. 

She did not like the thought of going back out into that weather. 

It made her feel like all she had to stay warm was only one feather. 

But after an hour the ground outside was covered in white.  

The old woman held up a little blue jumper and said in delight,

"Oh this is perfect!" she cried with her cheeks so rosie. 

She put it on Susie and said "this will keep you cosy."

So outside she went to release her once more. 

Susie was now warmer than ever before. 

She spread out her wings and took off into the air. 

She turned to the old woman and said "thank you, take care" 

But to an old woman her words had just one flaw. 

As this was the sound of a crow which simply said "caw caw"

Now if you look up to the blue sky on a cold winters day. 

You'll see Susie flying in her warm blue jumper and hello you must say! 

The Scarecrow and The Moon

There once was a scarecrow as old as the hills. He lived in a field not far from wheat mills.
He stood there alone wishing night would come soon, for you see this little scarecrow had fallen in love with the moon.
"I wish I could be with the moon tonight, for I stand here all day hoping to catch a sight.
An old scarecrow am I, a perch for a cat. All I could give is the straw in my hat.
What would the moon see in someone like me? My clothes are raggy and dirty you see.
Not new and big and gleamingly bright, like the moon I see so full of light."

One stormy night a strong wind blew, it was harsh and scary and up the old scarecrow flew.
Up through the air he went twirling in surprise, flying through the sky like the birds and the flies.
When he landed again, he was shaken and dizzy. Then he looked up to the moon and she said "hello there, I'm Lizzy."

The little old scarecrow was now at the top of a hill. Closer to the moon than he ever will.

"I have watched you from afar from my lonely sky, not even the stars around can keep this tear from my eye.
I've longed to speak to you for so many years, but you could not hear me all I could see was your tears.
I asked the wind to do me a favour and take you to my side. So I could tell you I love you and be your moon bride."

The little old scarecrow did not know what to say, as this moon had now taken his breath entirely away.

"I have also loved you for years and didn't know you liked me too. I didn't know you'd like someone with raggy clothes and a hole in his shoe."

"That's perfect to me but sometimes I am not here, that is my flaw and I'm sorry my dear.
Sometimes I'm small and grow larger by day but I'll always shine in my own special way.

You must not miss me on the times I have to go away because in your scarecrow heart, my brightness will stay."


"I will love you this night and forever more. I will love you like no moon has ever been loved before.
Marry me tonight and make me your groom, for you in my heart there will always be room."

So they married that night and their love is so true, every night they spent together was happy not blue.

You're out there somewhere, you'll see this one day.

So I'll write to you now, then I'll be off on my way. 

When I look into your eyes, my heart begins to race

You make me truly happy, put the biggest smile on my face. 

I can't imagine life without you, a single day without your voice. 

If you asked to come somewhere with me, I'd say "you don't have a choice"

You're my best friend, the best I've ever known. 

Without your touch or gentle kiss, I'd forever feel alone. 

I long to see your perfect smile, whenever we're apart. 

But the lingering kiss I'll leave with you, can keep me in your heart. 

Alas I write this now, without you here by my lonely side. 

I'm unknown to you and you to me, so in the poem I will confide.  

We will meet one day and no love will we lack

For that road of life we'll together walk, and never look back. 

There once was a crow and Susie was her name. She was always cold and getting warm was her game. 

Susie lived in a pine tree in a nest up high. Her attempts to warm herself did make her sigh.

There once was an old woman who moved here from a place that made her frown.

This would be her first Christmas away from that loud busy town. 

Flying off for sticks and shivering wildly. Something below caught Susie's eye and she could make it out mildly.

It was an old woman on a bike with her basket full. Wool of every colour and not one of them dull.

Susie went about her business and came to a house. The garden trees were being decorated by a mouse.

When suddenly the old woman cycled through the gate. She got off her bike and said "goodness I got home before late".

The old woman sat down on her fireside chair. She took two knitting needles out which were nesting in her hair.

Susie flew to the window and watched her knit a scarf so warm. Then felt the breeze of a cold winter storm.

She spread out her wings and jumped up to fly 

but slipped on a leaf and didn't reach the sky. 

The woman looked up and said 'oh dear what was that noise?' She walked to the window and saw Susie with wide eyes.

'Poor thing' said the old woman as she cradled Susie tight. Then placed her in the basket to rest there for the night. 

Susie was feeling better the next day. The woman brought her to the door to release her on her way. 

But poor Susie began to shiver again. 

"You're cold!" said the old woman who had an idea just then. 

She brought her back inside and placed her on the floor. 

Then picked up two balls of wool and began to knit once more. 

Turning to the window she said "oh it's beginning to snow" 

When Susie saw the snowfall her worry did show. 

"My first Christmas here, I have snowfall and a guest.

I think this Christmas will be one of the best!"

After an hour the ground outside was covered in white.  

The old woman held up a little blue jumper with snowflakes so bright. 

"Oh this is perfect!" she cried with her cheeks so rosie. 

and put it on Susie saying "this will keep you cosy."

So outside she went to release her once more. 

Susie was now warmer than ever before. 

She spread out her wings and flew into the air. 

then turned to the old woman and said "thank you, take care" 

But to an old woman her words had just one flaw. 

As this was the sound of a crow which simply said "caw, caw"

Now if you look to the sky on a cold winter's day,

You might just see Susie and hello you must say. 

The Old Cobbler

There once lived a little old woman long ago. Grey haired, she wore raggy clothes and her feet did show.

She was walking along the road one cold afternoon, when suddenly she spotted beside a rusty spoon

An old leather shoe was thrown away. 'This shoe is lovely! I really must say!"

It was a left shoe, wrinkled and torn. 'I have a similar right shoe at home ready to be worn.'

This shoe had eyes among the laces. Yes shoes have eyes and a mouth, quite hidden faces.

He thought it odd that she thought he was useful. As he was thrown out for being withered and dull.

For an old woman who couldn't afford clothes. her feet were quite cold especially her toes.

She picked this shoe up and brought him home. Then placed it down beside the right shoe and around the house they would roam.

The old woman had left them on a table and went off for a bath. When she came back she found them both out on the path.

'How on earth did you get out here? Now, come with me and I'll make you look new and dear.'

What these old shoes did not know, was this old woman used to be a cobbler long ago.

This old poor woman once had a shoe shop in town, Before a cheaper shoe shop opened and closed her down.

Soon she was poor and moved to a cottage by the woods. She had to sell everything, yes all of her goods.

She placed the shoes on the dresser and took out some leather, This she had found lying in a ditch among some heather.

Sewing and hammering on new heels and soles, lacing and polishing and covering up the holes.

These shoes soon no longer looked old. They looked brand new and in any shop could be sold.

The next day the old woman wore them into town to try them out. She wore them with pride and a satisfied pout.

Everyone turned and admired this woman's foot wear. One lady stopped her and said 'forgive me I did not mean to stare.'

'I simply must ask you, I have nothing to lose. Where did you buy such beautiful shoes?'

'Oh, I didn't buy these dear, I found them thrown away.' Then she told her the story of how she mended them the previous day.

The lady was astonished at this old woman's skill. 'I have some shoes which need to be mended if you will?'

Soon everyone in town knew of this poor old woman and her talents for mending, she soon had piles of old shoes people were sending.

Shoes kept coming and and didn't seem to stop. So this poor old woman had to open a cobbling shop.

No longer poor now she knew it was because of the shoes she'd found. And each time they became worn, she mended them and wore them around.

There once was a spider as small as could be.
She lived at the base of an old oak tree.

Ellie was her name and in this woods she had grown.
In a small wooden hut which she called her own.

One dark eerie morning, Ellie awakened to a howl.
She went out for a look and on her face was a scowl.

'Batten down the hatches!' screamed Harry the Hedeghog running past.
'A storm is approaching, do what you can, it's coming fast!'

In a panic poor Ellie ran for some tools in the town.
A wooden hammer and some pegs to tie her home down.

I must stop my home from blowing deep into the woods.
It has been around since the oak tree's very first buds.

She got back to her house and found some rope inside.
Then threw it over the house and with the pegs down she tied,

The storm was now closer and Ellie's legs left the ground.
As the wind picked her up and threw her around.

She spun some web down to her house safely tied tight.
and pulled herself down and got over her fright.

The storm came fast and roared and howled all day,
Rain fell hard and her cosy twig hut kept it at bay.

The storm blew over and Ellie walked out to the sun.
It seemed a long time since she saw Harry the hedgehog run.

But all seemed ok, most homes were in tact with their latches,
For nobody would be be safe if Harry didn't shout 'Batten down the hatches'

The Tiny Bracelet

I was walking along and saw something shiny. It looked like a bracelet but for something tiny. 

Diamonds dotted all around and of silver made. To buy this in a shop would be a fortune paid. The tiny bracelet was smaller than a little finger nail. It was even smaller than the shell of a passing snail. "Who does this belong to? Where are they now? I really want to give it back but I don't know how!" Just then I saw something jump right out of a ditch. My heart leapt when who did I see but a tiny wicked witch?! She wore a flower as a hat and her hair was down. And she was staring at the road with a very large frown. Are you looking for this I asked the witch, so tiny. Her eyes lit up when she saw the bracelet so shiny. Yes that is my grandmothers bracelet, I lost it last week. When I noticed it gone, everyday since I did seek. So I gave her the bracelet and she thanked me once more. Before jumping back into the ditch with a cackle and a roar. 

The Small Witch

There once was a witch, wicked and tall.
A spell went wrong and shrunk her small.
Down to the ground the wicked witch went.
and over her cauldron the magic wand bent.
Her clothes shrunk too, all except her hat.
The spell threw it up and turned it into a bat.
'A witch needs a hat or a witch I am not
A hat is something even if it's all you've got.'
Looking around for a hat in all of the bushes,
she found a bed of flowers behind some rushes.
One fell to the ground upside down in a ditch
'Oh this is just perfect!' cackled the wicked old witch.
She picked the flower up and placed in on her head.
A beautiful fresh flower flush with the brightest red.
I love my new hat made of a lovely fresh flower.
A hat so beautiful it gives a bent wand some power.
She waved the bent wand and shrunk her whole house,
now she lives happily small and rides her pet mouse.

There once was a witch who was small as could be.
She wore a flower for a hat and had glasses to see.

One day the witch set off to find ingredients for a spell
But her broom became tired and down a large hill she fell.

Ouch! Cried the witch and she pulled a stone from her shoe.
I need the hair of a dog and the smile from a shrew.

So she walked a road leaving her broom to rest.
She would fly home later when it was back to its best.

The witch came to a village of mice and hedgehogs. 

They all lived in fear of the local farmer's large dogs. 

Please help us be safe for we fear for our lives. 

The farmer's dog's teeth can cut us live knives. 

So the witch in her flower hat, hid behind a mushroom. 

A dog approached growling and she shouted KABOOM!

The dog backed away as he saw the witch near. 

She jumped on his head and he took off in fear.

She cackled so loud with the fun of the ride
Before the dog threw her off, landing on her backside.

When she opened her hand, there was the hair she needed.
Then came a laugh from behind "stop making me laugh" they pleaded.

It was a tiny shrew with a smile from ear to ear.
The second ingredient for her potion was now right here.

So she set off home with her bottle of smiles and her dog hair too
and emptied them into the cauldron of lovely witch stew.

She uttered a spell from her grandmother's old witch book.
Then the air filled with magic and the witch had a look.

Ah it's good as new as she peered into the large pot.
That mended the hole nicely! But to buy food I forgot!

The Spider Who Shone

There once was a spider scary as could be!

She had 16 eyes and hairs on each knee. 

Nobody liked her, chased her all over the house.

So she waited until night to roam around like a mouse. 

This very night she walked across the table. 

She knocked over some glue and a tube, unstable. 

Covered in glue with a tube falling on her head,

She tried to run but got stuck there instead. 

A hail of glitter sprinkled her like a colourful shower. 

Then she broke free as the clock struck the hour. 

Onto the ground she went tumbling and soon came to a stop,

In front of a tall mirror and her heart  nearly did drop. 

Who is that beautiful thing staring back at me there? 

Can it be me? Is it the glitter in my hair? 

The child came downstairs and her eyes caught a sight,

Of a spider so glittery, she lit up the night. 

She watched and she listened and the spider began to sing.

And across the house this beautiful song did ring. 

 ‘Spiders will see, spiders like me, will come to look and shout with glee, how beautiful she is, the spider of light and shout and hum and sing in delight.’ 

The little girl approached and asked "can I join?"

The spider replied "yes let's get in a line"

So they danced and sang all through the night.

The now unscary spider became her friend and night light! 

There once lived a blackbird named Amelia. Now Amelia lived in a little hedge on the edge of The Great Forest. Why didn't she live in the forest you ask? Well Amelia was born differently to the other blackbirds and indeed every other bird around. You see, Amelia was born with four legs. She didn't dare enter the forest for fear of being taunted and made fun of. She was quite happy on the outskirts of The Great Forest. 

        One day a fox came running past. He looked towards Amelia and shouted "RUN!" She looked back towards the countryside and saw a plane fly over some nearby buildings and something falling. Suddenly a flash of light and smoke and an eruption of sound filled the air. Amelia was thrown from her nest. She scrambled to her feet, all four of them and ran into The Great Forest. 

Happy New Year

New Year new me? But you're the same you don't you see?

Resolutions all around, but for a Saturday drink you'll still be bound. 

Three inches off your waist, but how good does a cream bun taste? 

A to do list complete, but with reality you can't seem to compete. 

You'll be sitting on the couch, when in the gym you should be saying "ouch" 

A New Years kiss you say? I'll kiss my glass and be on my way! 

A year ahead is hard to plan, planning ahead is too great for man.

So happy New Year to all, may it be full of surprises great and small.

The Old Cobbler And The Christmas Wish.

Winter was blowing in as the old cobbler sat by the fire on Christmas Eve in her shop, mending a pair of leather boots. She hummed a Christmas carol while she mended. Her shoes looked at one another with wide eyes as she hummed. A wind howled outside and it began to snow heavily. 'Deary me,' she said. 'It looks like a blizzard outside.' She threw some more wood on the fire and pulled her shawl up around her shoulders. I hope it stops before I go home. I only asked for one gift from Santa this year and if I cannot get home, it won’t be possible. She had a tree up in the shop. It was beautifully decorated with red bows and green baubles with some glass baubles and candles lighting inside of them. There was red berried holly and garland along the shelves and the wooden post supporting the ceiling. The shop was a glow with lighting candles all around, the light from the fire and the beautifully lit tree. The old cobbler had made herself some mulled wine and the shop smelled of fruit and spice. When it was time to go home, the blizzard still hadn't eased off. Snow was now half way up the front door of the shop. 'How am I going to get home? I shall have to spend the night here.’ The storm raged on and on and on. ‘Never in all my life have I seen this much snow. I’m stuck here and there is barely enough firewood for the rest of the night. I shall freeze.’ Her shoes looked at each other with sorrow in their eyes this time. She made a bed beside the fire and settled down for the night. She sang Carols to herself and drank the last of the mulled wine. Although the fire was burning away and she would be cold, she didn't mind. She was glad to have the shop. After a while she awoke to hear a noise outside. She threw her shawl around her and went out to investigate. She gasped when she found the way had been cleared and she could leave. There was a path which was lit completely by lanterns and it brought her straight to her house. ‘This is quite extraordinary, who would do this?’ When she got to her house, her front door was open. Smoke was rising from the chimney. She cautiously approached and went inside, fearing there might be robbers. When she peered around the corner, she couldn't believe her eyes. It was The Boogieman, the witch, the troll and the vampire she had mended shoes for. The Vampire had brought his family. She had never had so many visitors at once. ‘How did you know I was trapped at the shop?’ she asked graciously. “Trapped at the shop? We have only just arrived here with presents for you.” replied the witch. She pointed to the tree and there, beneath, sat gifts. “Oh thank you so much. Please, you really must stay the night and have dinner with me tomorrow.” They all agreed and she made them all beds for the night. As they all slept, she crept quietly into the tree early the next morning to unwrap her gifts. A dress from the witch, some expensive leather from the vampire to make herself some nice shoes, some homemade lanterns from the troll and a promise of dance lessons from the Boogieman. “How lovely, and oh what’s this?” There was also a letter. She opened it and it read “I received your letter about your only wish this year was to not be lonely on Christmas day. ‘Christmas is like an unlit path for me, dark and lonesome. Please help to light my lonely path.’ Merry Christmas, Santa.” She looked up and smiled with a tear in her eye. “Thank you.” She whispered.

The Christmas Mouse

What was that noise below the floor boards? Rattling and scratching by the hoards. It's kept me up at night, yes wide awake. I had to find out what was making it for goodness sake. Then I heard nibbling, nawing at the wood. "If it's a mouse, he's surely up to no good." I decided one night, enough was enough. And got out of bed with a huff and a puff. I crept up to the noise and listened in the dark, for the mouse to move, so I could grab him like a shark. He jumped out of a box of my wrapping supplies. With some ribbon and bows and then he locked eyes, with the tape he dropped, on an earlier steal. He grabbed it fast and went down the hole with the reel. "What peculiar things to steal from my box,

I'll get him tomorrow. I will pounce like a fox." So the next night I waited, and noticed the floorboard could detach, I rattled and pulled and up it came like a latch. Beneath it I was met, with a sight that made me gasp, a little mouse sat on a chair with the tape in his grasp. Wrapping tiny gifts all through the dark night. He never saw me, and he wrapped until light. I replaced the floor board and left him alone. For a mouse who wraps presents, I couldn't possibly moan.

 

Halloween

Monsters are everywhere, they lurk in despair.

 Witches on brooms and goblins in your rooms.

 Vampires travel skies while zombies pick up their eyes. 

The night is coming when these creatures come running. 

Out of the dept, where for a year they have slept. 

This night of screams, that haunt children's dreams. 

You better watch out, don't look outside, be seen about. 

You might get taken, and the witches will get bakin' 

For the terrible night will give you some fright. 

The night of terror, yes, make not one error.

 Keep your wits about you, you don't know what will shout "boo!" 

On this night of scares, that will rustle your hairs. 

On this night of ghouls, don't be one of those fools. 

On this night of fear, for one night of the year. 

Yes the night I mean, is your HALLOWEEN. 

Benjamin The Mouse

Benjamin the mouse had lost his house. 

Feeling cold and sad, and really quite bad. A crow called Susie landed on a mouse and said "excuse me" "Do you mind crow? Can't you watch where you go?" "Oh pardon me little fellow, I'll not stop to say hello" "Forgive me for snapping, I'm tired from lack of napping" "My house fell down and I now I'm wandering in my night gown." "I'm sorry about your house, I did not know I was landing on a mouse." So away mid flight, she stopped with an idea so bright.

 "A new house he said? I think I know just the cosy bed." Well his eyes came alive, as he saw this old bee hive.

Inside was a nest, where an old bird did rest. And up and went on it's way, to make room for this mouse one day. 

"I love it, it's so me. It's all I wanted my home to be. How can I ever repay, you must come for tea one day."

"Tea in a nest is perfect you see? Tea in a nest is home to a bird like me."

The Butterfly By The Stream

I lay on the grass before the soft flowing stream. After some time asleep, I awakened from a dream. 

Rubbing my eyes, I looked around at this day. The sun was shining warmly, as the farmers made hay. Then above the stream I glanced as something peculiar I could see. It was something I could not believe, could this really be? There, hovered a butterfly with locks of golden hair. It flew around and for my presence it didn't care. My mouth was wide open as I watched this beautiful thing, then as it flew across stream, a song it began to sing. "A butterfly am I with long locks of  golden hair, I come here for some peace, so people do not stare. I fly above the water and see my strange reflection,

as I wondered what it was that gained so much affection." She took off again, and said, "I do not believe we have met before, but perhaps someday when we're old and grey, you'll remember me no more."

The Fallen Star

I watched the stars compliment the moon like a diamond necklace. A million diamonds could not distract from the beauty of the moons face.  Lit up by the sun at night, never really setting just hiding in another land. Shining so bright, I realised the night was no longer bland. It was so quiet and nothing could be heard but the clock ticking away the night. The smallest noise could have startled anyone and given them a fright. I saw a shooting star. It appeared this necklace might be a fake now. For a diamond lost is no good to the moon, it's fallen down to a sleeping cow. "What is this? Called the waking cow. A diamond for me? Why thank you sky. I'll never leave this diamond, and cherish it until the day I die." Many years later an old cow sat by a fallen star, the fire burned away. "You are my diamond my cherished gift. I have loved your time each waking day."  The sun set on this dying cow, she took her last breath as the stars turned bright and the moon rose high. Then as her soul slipped away, a new diamond appeared across the bright night sky.   

The Snail Shell

An old book on my shelf, I needed to recycle, but I could not find the heart to continue this book's cycle. So I went for a long walk, to think about my choice, recycle something I loved, not hear my inner voice. A snail for many years, had slowly made it's way. But in this world forever, no creature may stay. The snail passed on and left behind it's shell. Left there to rot until into it, a small seed fell. I was walking some time, and sat for a rest. Something caught my eye, something I could not best.  It was a small snail shell, lying on the ground. I picked it up and couldn't believe what I'd found. A small green plant was growing from within, This shell now had life, a new chapter will begin. Nature had recycled something all by itself, In a far more beautiful way than that book sat on my shelf.