The Dark

I don't like the dark coming down on my head
It feels like a blanket thrown over the bed
I don't like the dark coming down on my head

I don't like the dark coming down over me
It feels like the room's full of things I can't see
I don't like the dark coming down over me

There isn't enough light from under the door
It only just reaches the edge of the floor
There isn't enough light from under the door

I wish that my dad hadn't put out the light
It feels like there's something that's just out of sight
I wish that my dad hadn't put out the light

But under the bedclothes it's warm and secure
You can't see the ceiling you can't see the floor
Yes, under the bedclothes it's warm and secure
So I think I'll stay here till it's daylight once more.

--Adrian Henri

The Dark House

In a dark, dark wood, there was a dark, dark house,
And in that dark, dark house, there was a dark, dark room,
And in that dark, dark room, there was a dark, dark cupboard,
And in that dark, dark cupboard, there was a dark, dark shelf,
And in that dark, dark shelf, there was a dark, dark box,
And in that dark, dark box, there was a GHOST!

--Anon

Dog's Dinner

On Thursday night
my mother said
that I could sleep
on the barley-sugar bed.

I dreamed of sailing
a bubble-gum boat
blown big as a dinosaur
to keep my afloat.

On Friday night my mother said
my sister could sleep
on the barley-sugar bed.

She dreamed of
a liquorice homework book
that ate the sums
when she was stuck.

On Saturday night
my mother said
she would like to sleep
in the barley-sugar bed.

She dreamed of
a trifle covered in cream
with lollipop spoons
to lick it clean.

When Sunday came
my mother said
the dog could sleep
on the barley-sugar bed.

He ate it.

--Irene Rawnsley

Down by the School Gate

There goes the bell
it's half-past three
and down by the school gate
you will see...

...the mums talk talk talking
nine babies squawk squawking
eight toddlers all squabbling
seven grans on bikes wobbling

six dogs bark bark barking
five cars stopping, parking
four child-minders running
three bus-driving sunning

two teenagers dating
one lollipop man waiting...

The school is out,
it's half-past three
and the first to the school gate
...is me!

--Wes Magee

The Dustman

When the shades of night are falling, and the sun goes down,
O! the Dustman comes a-creeping in from Shut-eye Town.
And he throws dust in the eyes of all the babies that he meets,
No matter where he finds them, in the house or in the streets.
Then the babies' eyes grow heavy and the lids drop down,
When the Dustman comes a-creeping in from Shut-eye Town.

When mother lights the lamps and draws the curtains down,
O! the Dustman comes a-creeping in from Shut-eye Town,
And the babies think the Dustman is as mean as he can be,
For he shuts their eyes at nightfall, just when they want to see.
But their little limbs are weary, for all they fret and frown,
When the Dustman comes a-creeping in from Shut-eye Town.

--Anon