How Ava LearnedTo Swim comical poem 531 by Angela Lansbury

1

 Ava sent us all a video

She wanted us to know

That she learns to swim each weekend

She doggy paddles to and fro

2 She has a swimming costume

She chose a pretty patterned pink

She chose a no frills costume

So she can swim sleek and never sink

3 She wears her swimming goggles

And her matching swimming cap

She puts it all on by herself

She's keen and proud of that

4 Where is the lovely swimming pool?

The pool is in a local school

The pool is all a shallow end

Big enough for her and her new best friend

5 First she learned to get in

The water is quite warm

She trusts teacher to guide her

So she cannot come to harm

6 She knows that Dad is watching

And recording her progress

So that all the family

Can re-play her success

7 How long do her lessons last?

Only fifteen minutes

She looks forward to her first lesson

She can't wait to begin it

8 She stands beside the swimming pool

She is very confident and brave

Before she climbs down the ladder

She gives us all a happy wave

9 She holds the board in front of her

Her legs kick up and down

Swimming's easy, water holds you up

Far above the blue tiled ground

10 She swims the whole length of the pool

It's fun but very far

And when it's over she's so tired

That she sleeps in the chugging car

11 We wonder what she's dreaming

When she wakes she is confessing

Can you guess what she was dreaming?

About her next swimming lesson!

12 Her next lesson's twice as long

Teacher said she'd made great progress

She is confident and strong

Swimming is her new success!

(Possible end)

13 She watched a safety video

It warned don't swim far alone at night

In a pool, by day, with lifeguards watching

Is the way to do it right

14 Some people risk deep rivers

Some swim in big waves in the open sea

But in a pool, with a life guard

Is best (safest?) for Mummy, Daddy and me

15 Mummy and daddy and grandparents

All think she looks smart and sweet

Each week she learns something new

Now she's flapping flippers on her feet

16 She starts out swimmg on her front

She looks as natural as a green, swimming frog

She ends up swimming on her back

She's as happy as a grinning, tail-wagging dog.

-ends-

Copyright Angela Lansbury

The Swimming Frog comic poem no 231 by Angela Lansbury

How does a small frog learn to swim?

He swims along every season

I wish that I could be like him

Never need a swimming lesson

I doggy paddle round the pool

A frog looks like swimming is play

'though big-eyed like a little fool

He swims tirelessly all the day

The frog is not ashamed or proud

He swims about croaking out loud

Even when small, not well-endowed 

Elbows and kicks through a big crowd

But frogs are in their pool all day

Nothing to do but eat, mate, swim

Sunbathe, no thought of bills to pay

Nothing to lose, nothing to win

Instead of fearing I might drown

I ought to simply laugh and shrug 

Put my foot down, push off the ground

And treat myself to a big hug.

After six widths I have grown bored

I'll walk back home for company

When I'm alone I feel ignored

Forget frogs' lives, let me be me

Yes, trees are trees, and frogs are frogs

And cats are cats and dogs are dogs

And you are you and I am me

That's how life is and it should be.

-ends-

Copyright Angela Lansbury Tues 26 Sept 2023

My draft ended

And that's the way the world should be