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Hist!


Hist! . . . . . . Hark!
The night is very dark,
And we've to go a mile or so
Across the Possum Park.

Step . . . . . . light,
Keeping to the right;
If we delay, and lose our way,
We'll be out half the night.
The clouds are low and gloomy. Oh!
It's just begun to mist!
We haven't any overcoats
And - Hist! . . . . . . Hist!

(Mo . . . . . . poke!)
Who was that that spoke?
This is not a fitting spot
To make a silly joke.

Dear . . . . . . me!
A mopoke in a tree!
It jarred me so, I didn't know
Whatever it could be.
But come along; creep along;
Soon we shall be missed.
They'll get a scare and wonder where
We - Hush! . . . . . . Hist!

Ssh! . . . . . . Soft!
I've told you oft and oft
We should not stray so far away
Without a moon aloft.

Oo! . . . . . . Scat!
Goodness! What was that?
Upon my word, it's quite absurd,
It's only just a cat.
But come along; haste along;
Soon we'll have to rush,
Or we'll be late and find the gate
Is - Hist! . . . . . . Hush!

(Kok!. . . . . . Korrock!)
Oh! I've had a shock!
I hope and trust it's only just
A frog behind a rock.

Shoo! . . . . . . Shoo!
We've had enough of you;
Scaring folk just for a joke
Is not the thing to do.
But come along, slip along -
Isn't it a lark
Just to roam so far from home
On - Hist! . . . . . . Hark!

Look! . . . . . . See!
Shining through the tree,
The window-light is glowing bright
To welcome you and me.

Shout! . . . . . . Shout!
There's someone round about,
And through the door I see some more
And supper all laid out.
Now, Run! Run! Run!
Oh, we've had such splendid fun -
Through the park in the dark,
As brave as anyone.

Laughed, we did, and chaffed, we did,
And whistled all the way,
And we're home again! Home again!
Hip . . . . . . Hooray!

In a published book

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Comments

1 - 7 of 7

  • May 6
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    Memories

    From guest Deborah Williams (contact)
    I have loved this poem ever since learning it at primary school. Living next to the bush as we did as kids, coming home in the dark was verrry scary indeed where sounds and the feel of being watched by things unseen were bigger in our imaginations than in reality. Where, as you are about to really do something to embarass you for life...the lights of home bring an overwhelming comfort to you.


  • May 6
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    Memories

    From guest Deborah Williams (contact)
    I love this poem ever since learning it in primary school. We lived next to the bush and coming home at dark was indeed scary and the bush was full of thihgs ready to pounce at you until the lights of home bring comfort to you. Thank you for a GR8 site.


  • February 6
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    Hist......

    From guest Aroha Paterson (contact)
    I loved this poem in 1968 when we performed it for our parents at an end of year celebration,I've always remembered the last stanza when home is in sight after a night out.


  • September 15, 2008
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    Hist Hark!!!!!

    From guest james (contact)
    i like the poem alot


  • September 5, 2007
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    School

    From guest Chelsea (contact)
    I did this one for grade five show and tell and now, nearly five years later I'm doing it again... <3


  • March 22, 2007
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    Hist!

    From guest Simone (contact)
    I loved this poem which we learnt as a primary school class back in the early 70's. I could only remember a couple of verses which I would recite to my young children when we cross a certain park and they love it and want to learn the rest.

  • apatheticpoison
    September 5, 2006
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    I like it

    I have never heard this one

  • Master Domtos rose
    March 22, 2006
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    Soooo many memories!! It's nearly 25 years ago since I learnt this, and just reading it over again, I can almost hear the inflections the teacher drummed into us, and could hear him reading the poem aloud to us.


  • August 18, 2005
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    this is my favourite childhood poem, I recited it when in primary school many years ago (40+) and it has stayed with me ever since


  • Ahkam Moderators member
    February 15, 2004
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    sweet

    this is really very sweet.I love it.


  • February 14, 2004
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    I learnt this poem about 40 years ago. I still remember it and say it to others and loved by all


  • December 28, 2003
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    this poem is fun to say- my freinds and i learnt all the verses. It is very creative and you get caught up in the story.


  • December 28, 2003
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    This is an awesome poem. It's so creative and easy to memorise... i love it!


  • December 13, 2003
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    I like this poem it is very creativy in the way the poet has used the words to have a meaning behind them, they are no longer made up but are filled with feeling and enthusiasm

1 - 7 of 7