Roald Dahl Poems

Hello Poetry Lovers

I thought I’d feature some of Roald Dahl’s children’s poetry today. Funny, cheeky and intriguing.

Previously I’ve only been familiar with his short stories, in fact, Kiss Kiss was the first adult paperback I ever bought in Enfield Town. I still remember the slim glossy elegance of that Penguin Book.

Although most of Dahl’s stories have been televised on Tales of the Unexpected, beautifully done with a great cast, they didn’t have the power of keeping one awake at night like the actual text.

So, Dahl’s poetry is a new discovery for me. Some were very long but these were just the right measure of delight. Do read on

Hot And Cold

A woman who my mother knows
Came in and took off all her clothes.

Said I, not being very old,
‘By golly gosh, you must be cold! ‘

‘No, no! ‘ she cried. ‘Indeed I’m not! 
I’m feeling devilishly hot! ‘

St Ives

As I was going to St Ives
I met a man with seven wives
Said he, ‘I think it’s much more fun
Than getting stuck with only one.’

Hey Diddle Diddle

Hey diddle diddle
We’re all on the fiddle
And never get up until noon.
We only take cash
Which we carefully stash
And we work by the light of the moon.

Weren’t they fun, PL’s? Delightful pieces, I liked the Hot and Cold poem best. I’ll almost forgive this writer for giving me nightmares, I said almost……

Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action real soon….