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Home » Categories » Writing » Poetry » The Punishment: A Childrens Poem » Printer Friendly

Ben Jones

Don't Kill The Messenger

The Punishment: A Childrens Poem

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Rated an Average of 4.7 by 15 Readers ?
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Submitted Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Ben Jones (6,856)
Ben Jones

Too-Write!
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The little stick got up and looked around
Still dizzy from its fall
The world now looked so very strange
Out of the tree, the stick felt small

From way up in the branches
The grass had looked so green
Now upon the ground he stood
To realize; it was muddy and unclean

The stick took stock and stood stock still
Then turned round and round and round
And wondered why he'd ever wanted
To leave his cozy twig like town

What to do and where to go
The stick cried out in fright
All alone in the big bad world
With not a friend in sight

In the tree things had been simple
And the stick now wished for home
But it could not climb back up the bark
So like a match; it struck out upon its own

With a final sob and a big deep breath
It put the matter from its mind
And headed down the nearest path
While making record time.

Now Record didn't mind this much
Since he owned the only watch
Besides it gave him lots of time
To sit upon a rock in his Scottish frock

Soon the stick came upon a bend
To find a fork sticking from the path
And wondered why they'd used this thing
When spoons are better by half

With a shrug of his wooden shoulders
The stick stopped pondering the whys
And took the high road on the right
That headed for the skies

But before too long the stick got dizzy
And it's wooden ears began to pop
So rightly it decided to retrace its steps
And back to the fork it hopped

This time down the left most path
The little stick did run
And now that it was exercising
It was starting to have some fun

As he jogged and ran along
He noticed a strange new smell
And turning round another bend
He saw the surf, the sea and swell

In awe he stopped, rooted to the spot
And then he saw high tide
Who sat among the crashing waves
And smoked a funny pipe

Said High tide to our little stick
"Yo dude, how are things today?"
Said little stick in return
"Much better, I really like those waves"

Said High tide again to the stick
"Then why the long, long face?"
Said little stick in return
"For a skinny twig it's common place"

They chatted awhile then said goodbye
And the stick went on his way
And as he trotted through the sand
He saw D and E shells along the bay

As the afternoon began to darken
And night time to approach
The moon rose above the horizon
And the starfish to encroach

Our poor little stick was frightened
For he'd never seen creatures like this
And he bent his stubby legs and huddled
And crouched and prayed and wished

But the starfish didn't hurt him
They'd just come to have a look
At the amazing little walking stick
Who now kneeled and cried and shook

"There, there, little stick", they said
"We are all your friends,
No need to start the water works
Now make the tears all end."

So the stick got up, for he'd realized
That these guys were not so bad
In fact after just two small bites
He knew - they were the best he'd ever had

With new found joy and a big fat tummy
And not a starfish left in sight
The little stick set off again,
To find a place to spend the night

A short ways further down the beach
He found a group of other sticks
All lying comfy close together
In the sand between some bricks

With youthful glee he let out a cry
And charged up to the ledge
And waved to all his new found friends
From that dangerous, narrow edge

And in his happy, joyous mood
He failed to see the rope
That tied together all the sticks
And bound them without hope

Right then a hand on high swooped down
And grabbed him round the middle
And shoved him with the other sticks
So tight he could not wiggle

Now this is where we end our tale
Before the sticks all burn
But hopefully from the things he did
A lesson you will learn

Don't run away from home at all
And don't go eating all your friends
Or you will surely meet your match
And end up burning at the end...
 
 

 
Ben Jones is an award winning writer from Australia, who runs the Creative Poetry Newtork; a friendly place open to anyone who wants to share their passion for poetry, receive feedback on their own work or enter poetry competitions. 
 






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Comments on this article:


» left by Mogama (14,945)
Mogama
(359 days 7 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Thanks, Ben for the poem. I read it early morning. It's my first time reading a poem on SearchWarp. Great job. ~mogama~

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(357 days 18 hours ago.)

Hi Mogama,
 
Thanks a lot for commenting on my poem. There's actually some really good poems on SearchWarp. So it's lucky you didn't read those ones first, or I'd have a lot to live up to!  :)
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Joel Hendon (10,953)
Joel Hendon
(359 days 5 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Ben, this is quite good. I was never able to do much with poetry but I enjoy a good read.

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(357 days 18 hours ago.)

Hi Joel,
 
Thanks for your comment on my poem. I've been writing poetry for years, the real trick with poetry is to be prolific, that way you get the odd diamond in amongst the dusty coal.
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Sandra E. Graham (7,554)
Sandra E. Graham
(359 days 4 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 4 out of 5
Nice poem, Ben. I will have to print it out so that I can read it to my grandchildren. They will love it. Thanks for sharing.
 
Sandra

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(357 days 18 hours ago.)

Hi Sandra,
 
Sounds great: I'd be really interested to know what they think of it. I'm looking forward to hearing what kids think of it, even though I know they can be brutally honest.  *smile*
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Susan Thom (11,674)
Susan Thom
(359 days 3 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
hi ben,
 
wow. this was really interesting, and intelligently done.
 
it's like you have a magical streak in your mind to be able to come up with such an intricate poem about such interesting matter.
 
i believe i, too, would have ventured out of that tree, and left it up to fate what would happen.
 
thanks for sharing with us, you done good:)
 
best regards,
 
sue

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(357 days 18 hours ago.)

Hi Susan,
 
Thanks for commenting on my childrens poem. Now you be careful climbing any trees, I don't want to be responsible for you falling out and having an adventure!
 
Have a great day,
Ben. 

Respond to this comment

» left by Judi Lake (1,904)
Judi Lake
(358 days 13 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Ben, this is fabulous and like Sandra, am going to print this out for my daughter -- As I read this, I pictured this entire poem bound in a book similar to the format of "The Giving Tree" -- something to think about -- again, wonderful work and thanks for sharing it!

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(357 days 17 hours ago.)

Hi Judi,
 
Thank you for your kind comment on my poem and for the great advice. I've actually got a friend who's a talented artist and has kindly offered to do some illustrations for me on this poem and a few other childrens poems I've written. I'm looking forward to seeing them come to life.

If your children have any constructive criticism or comments I'd love to hear them.
 
Have a great day,
Ben. 

Respond to this comment

» left by Walter Rhett (2,689) (357 days 21 hours ago.)
Reader Rating: 4 out of 5
Great moral story of the old school--thanks for the joy!

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(357 days 17 hours ago.)

Hi Walter,
 
Thanks for your comment on my poem and glad you enjoyed it.
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Avis Ward (11,361)
Avis Ward
(357 days 17 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Wow, Ben! This is great! I'm in awe at such talent. I didn't want it to end and was happy to continue reading but could tell when it would end. I agree with the moral of this story being 'old school.' It would do well for others like Sandra and Judi will, to share it with children. Thank you!
Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(357 days 15 hours ago.)

Hi Avis,
 
Thank you for your kind comment about my poem. I had to stop it abrutly to avoid a "sticky ending" (ok that's a really bad pun even for me). :)
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Chiradeep - The Candles (1,406)
Chiradeep - The Candles
(357 days 16 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 3 out of 5
Very nice poem Ben! Keep the good work on...May God bless you...

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(357 days 15 hours ago.)

Hi The Candles,
 
Thanks for your comment on my poem.
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Anonymous from UK (357 days 6 hours ago.)
Reader Rating: 3 out of 5
Poetry! I didn't think they accepted poetry on searchwarp but clearly they do. However great presentation.
 
Regards
 
John

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(357 days 6 hours ago.)

Hi John,
 
Yes there's currently 254 poems on SearchWarp and counting. They have an entire subcategory devoted to them, some really great poems in there plus a few of mine. :)
 
Have a great day,
Ben. 

Respond to this comment

» left by Dianne Lehmann (5,077)
Dianne Lehmann
(357 days 1 hour ago.)

Reader Rating: 4 out of 5
Hi Ben.
 
I should have known from the title that it wouldn't have a sweet ending. Still, it made a good fable. And if memory serves, they don't always end happily. Did a little one run off recently?
 
Dianne

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(354 days 22 hours ago.)

Hi Dianne,
 
Thanks for your comment on my poem. My son has just started opening doors which prompted visions of my own escapades when I was younger. We still have all that to look forward to.
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Lorrie Davids (7,889)
Lorrie Davids
(356 days 21 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Loved it, Ben! Got any more of these? In a collection, maybe?

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(354 days 22 hours ago.)

Hi Lorrie,
 
Thanks for your comment on my poem. I do have a few more actually, will have to dust them off at some stage.
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Deborah Hall-Branch (188)
Deborah Hall-Branch
(355 days 19 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Wow! What an awesome message within a great "poetic whimsical tune," and timely too.  Keep creating.
 
Deborah Branch

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(354 days 22 hours ago.)

Hi Deborah,
 
Thanks for your kind comment and for the encouragement too.
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by David Pekrul (3,697)
David Pekrul
(321 days 13 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Quite amazing the tale you are able to tell about just a stick. A simple story, yet one with a few layers. Good write.

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(254 days 16 hours ago.)

Hi David,
 
Thanks for your kind words about my little stick friend.
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Ronyae (4,627)
Ronyae
(256 days 15 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Ben,
 
You are a great storyteller; and that's why I joined your fan club. can't wait to read more!
 
Thanks for sharing this with us.

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(254 days 16 hours ago.)

Hi Ronyae,

Thanks for joining my fan club and of course for your kind review. :)
 
Have a great day,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Linda DeWitt (1,806)
Linda DeWitt
(171 days 16 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Enjoyed your poem very much. I agree with David it is amazing they tale you were able to tell about a stick..

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(119 days 20 hours ago.)

Hi Linda,
 
Sorry for the slow response, I didn't see it until now.

Thank you for your kind comment on my poem :)
 
Take care,
Ben.

Respond to this comment

» left by Joy from California, USA (97 days 13 hours ago.)
Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Hi Ben, I think you already know my feelings on this writing. Every time I read it I think it needs to be made into a book for children. All kinds of images fill my head with each read.

Respond to this comment
» left by Ben Jones (6,872)
Ben Jones
(1 day 18 hours ago.)

Thanks Joy! :)
 
I just saw this comment as I was browsing through, I didn't see it originally so sorry for the very tardy response.
 
Hope you are well and your grandkids are keeping you busy and happy!
 
Cheers,
 
Ben.

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Article added to SearchWarp.com on 10/14/2008 8:47:45 PM.
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