The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Don't Just Walk!

Come for a lollop with Lesley ...
If a journey of ONE THOUSAND MILES
starts with a single step,
how would you start yours?
Would you
leap, lollop, lunge?
pirouette, pitter-patter, plunge?
teeter, totter, trip?
slide, slither, slip?
Would you
dawdle, dither, dance?
pounce, parade or prance?
waddle, wobble, wiggle?
race, rampage or wriggle?
You might
stride and slap your thigh,
you might
flutter, float or fly, but
one thing’s for certain,
although you’d stop to talk-
you might even laugh or giggle-
you should NEVER
just
WALK!

About the Writer


Lesley James

Lesley is a recipient of the Representing Wales Award 2024-25. She is a teacher and poet who writes for young people and less young people. Nothing is more funny, thrilling or entertaining than the real life you can see from your own window!