The Spooky Old Tree

A child ponders the mysteries of an old tree in his backyard A children's book.

 

Outside my window out on the lawn,

There sits a tree from dusk till dawn

Whose shadow through my window creeps

As I lie and wait for sleep.

It has three holes, not one, but three!

And from each, something stares at me!

Mommy! I think there is something in the tree.

 

Listen to my story that will tell

Of those that in the tree do dwell.

Those that from the tree that peer

Are naught for us to ever fear.

Three holes, and each hole a home

For to each something has come.

And something wonderful was done.”

 

“Look Mommy two big eyes I see,

Peering from the top hole tree.

How big they are and how they glow.

Oh mommy! How is that? I want to know.

Something fluttered, something flapped.

Oh what kind of thing is that?

Yellow feet! I see. I see!

It has two claws, or even three.

Mommy will it come after me?

 

“No, my dearest, you are fine

For it’s concerns are not yours and mine.

The flapping flutterer is just a bird

Throughout the night whose cries are heard.

He’s a little owl by name of Screech

And, into here he cannot reach.

Of this bird I will you teach.

 

He has with him an awesome sight

Yellow eyes that pierce the night.

He hunts for food without the light.

But he eats: insects, moths, and mice.

As sharp as his great claws may be

I’m sure that you can surely see

His claws are not meant for you and me.

 

“Mommy! He puffs himself up at the hole.

I didn’t know he’d look so bold.

On his top are two pointed crests

And, his head swivels above his chest.

Into the night he goes to fly.

I must not fear him—at least I’ll try.

He is so beautiful, oh my, oh my!

 

“But, what of the dark second hole?

What strange secrets could it hold?

For peering there are six eyes, not two.

What on earth are we going to do?

Six eyes shine from the hole

And pierce the night’s deadly cold.

Mommy tell me and hold me. Hold!”

 

“The second hole a family houses

Of a critters like great mouses.

Safe from the storm they snuggle tight.

Just like us they feel alright.

The animals Opossums are called.

And they live in those wooden walls

Safe and sound from owl’s call.

 

The mommy has two baby guests.

Their eyes shine like the rest.

You can see them now and then

As they move about the den.

So that’s how six eyes can be

Tucked up inside a hollow tree.

Now, can you rest easily?

 

The mommy loves and cares for them,

Her children, as I love you, my son.

First she bore them in her pouch.

Now, they lay about her as on a couch.

Sweet dreams to her and her little ones;

Snug inside, their day is done.

Mommy will feed them when morning comes”

 

“Mommy, there is something creeping under the root.

It has two eyes that shine, a mask to boot?

What lies inside that third hole?

Tell me quickly! Make me bold.

The sneaky sneaks

The sneaky sneaks!

Oh what is that sneaky sneak?”

 

“Our friend the Raccoon resembles a bandit.

And, scavenge garbage from humans around it.

It also hunts in rivers and creeks.

Looking for a fish to meet.

Crayfish he can dig with his paws

But, he isn’t breaking any laws.

And, alarm he should not cause.

 

He has deft paws so we must beware

To lock our garbage up with care.

And that way we will do our best

To insure he makes not a mess.

Our bandit has a charm

He truly means no harm

No reason to raise alarm.”

 

“Oh Mommy, that tree is so full of life

I love it now, its very sight.

I’m bolder now where once afraid

I’ve listened well to the words you’ve said.

It means a lot: the tree.

Each hole a home in three.

Nothing there worth scaring me.

 

 

There is an old tree on the lawn,

Where it sits from dusk to dawn.

Animals live in its holes of three.

Imagine a home can be a tree!

Mommy, the tree isn’t scaring me;

Mommy, the tree isn’t scaring me

Mommy, the tree isn’t scaring me!”

Author's Note

I've submitted this to several publishers who rejected it. I need an Illustrator to work with me on this project.

Reviews

[*Kantola*]

That was a cute poem! It reminded me of how i was when our chickens in the backyard would "disappear" night after night. "Mom, why do the keep disappearing?" "The stupid raccoons, or a Possum." I liked the poem, nonetheless. Bravo! I dont see what you should change. The exclamation points give emphasis, and i see nothing wrong with grammar. Very good job! It would make a beautiful children's book!

[Pointblank]

Its a tad long but I love it. I don't think my childrens attention span would stick with it though. Just too much information all at once I think. It has fluidity and clarity and excellent form. I think it is wonderful.

[closed account]

I can't believe that it was rejected or that anyone else has commented on it!! This is a master piece, I truly loved it!!! you did a fantastic job with the reader visualizing the whole scene!! it's like a mini story/poem.. Again I loved it!!!!! Bravo!! :-)

[ShadowWolf]

All I can say is that I love this!

[THERISA]

Reading this poem, you hooked my imagination and could stop until the end of it. Even though, i knew what the next line of verse was. The rhyming scheme will have the young readers hooked and requesting this be read every night before sleep. Even parents will love your poetry. Thank you for sharing this children story with us. Good luck on finding the publisher for this.

Therisa

[Luqman Qadi]

Damon

It is my observation of this poem, that it would make a very exciting childrens book. However, there is enough things in the world that produces a scare. If you would take the "Spooky" out of it, and wrap this piece in a blanket of love...YOU MAY HAVE A WINNER. Just a suggestion.

Luqman

[justjenn_2u]

This is a very nice write for a children's book. Seems like this piece could be illustrated page by page. A child would love the mystery of each animal in the tree, and as each page is read, perhaps the animal of surprise could be on the next page.

Nice write!

[J. James Reider]

This is a great childrens poem... I picked up "Poet's Market" at Barnes & Noble that has some listings in it for publishing children poetry... There is also writersmarket.com but I think you need to be a member to access their recourses which are likely the same as "Poet's Market" anyway... I think overall it is well written for children... I didn't find any real difficult words and it tells a great story... Good luck!