Rhythmic English Poems
• If I Were King
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I often wish I were a King,
And then I could do anything.
If only I were King of Spain,
I’d take my hat off in the rain.
If only I were King of France,
I wouldn’t brush my hair for aunts.
I think, if I were King of Greece,
I’d push things off the mantelpiece.
If I were King of Norway,
I’d ask an elephant to stay.
If I were King of Babylon,
I’d leave my button gloves undone.
If I were King of Timbuctoo,
I’d think of lovely things to do.
If I were King of anything,
I’d tell the soldiers, “I’m the King!”
• The Moon
• The moon has a face like the clock in the hall,
• She shines on thieves on the garden wall,
• On streets and fields and harbour quays,
• And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.
• The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,
• The howling dog by the door of the house,
• The bat that lies in bed at noon,
• All love to be out by the light of the moon.
• But all of the things that belong to the day
• Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
• And flowers and children close their eyes
• Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.