The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Ladybird Why Don't You Fly?

ladybird oh! ladybird

why are you so still?
you don’t fly
just lie here
on this leaf

ladybird oh! ladybird

are you asleep
or only half-awake?
just let me see you
open your wings

ladybird oh! ladybird

won’t you join in?
the sky is waiting
just for you
blue and inviting

ladybird oh! ladybird

don’t you want
your wings to soar?
please dance in this
light warm air

ladybird oh! ladybird

can I help you take off?
I see your family
so high above us
they miss you


ladybird oh! ladybird
why are you so still?
why are you so still?

About the Writer


Christine R Milne

Christine is a poet who loves writing haiku. Some of them have been published in journals and anthologies. Luckily other poems pop into her head. Most of them are for children which is not surprising as she enjoys being a teacher and a mother. Also, creating poems that connect with a child’s view of the world is really special. This is helped by her favourite hobby, trying not to eat too much chocolate.