Beth writes

Tag: poetry

  • A Look at Allan Ahlberg and Children’s Books

    Little boy sits in a tent reading a story
    Photo by Artem Podrez on Pexels.com

    “In a dark, dark town there was a dark, dark street
    and in the dark, dark street there was a dark, dark house,
    and in the dark, dark house there were some dark, dark stairs
    and down the dark, dark stairs there was a dark, dark cellar
    and in the dark dark cellar….

    Three skeletons lived! ” – Funny Bones, Allan Ahlberg

    If you grew up in the 80’s and early 90’s there wasn’t much choice in children’s books. One of the big names there was Allan Ahlberg, who died this week.

    Allan and his first wife, Janet, created Happy Families, Funny Bones, and Please Mrs. Butler. And let’s not forget The Jolly Postman either. These were school staples in my childhood.

    The rhymes, stories, and poems had children giggling and engaged with beautiful pictures and smashing tales.

    The question is though, have they stood the test of time?

    In my opinion, while not overly diverse, these stories still can be found in many a library, and bookstore.

    Let me know your favorite in the comments?

  • Bitter voices- a poem of dealing with your demons

    I once chose to be liked,

    But only found rejection,

    And bitter voices in me

    Screamed like wild banshees.

    They wailed all my anxieties

    And I had nowhere to hide,

    I tried to trust in my worth

    But their tempest was louder.

    I wailed back but no use

    For their voices drowned me,

    With messages of guilt, pain,

    And how we’ll never belong.

    Then, I learned a new trick,

    To help placate their pains,

    I wrote down counter truths

    Of the good things I have done.

    They still aren’t truly silent now

    But I can calm their storms,

    For I have found strength inside

    Even when it seems I have nothing.

  • English mad dogs- a poem

    Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

    In summer, many Brits head outside

    All happy, playing, and feeling alive,

    While some, like me, choose to hide

    In shade when sun is past 25.

    “I’m melting “ I cry, out in the heat,

    Needs more than water to fuel my thirst,

    While English mad dogs are lining the street,

    I have air con on till it’s past the worst.