Featured Poetry Collection (1) - Gargling with Jelly by Brian Patten

What’s all this then?

In a new feature each week I’ll be recommending a different poetry collection for children & young people. My bookshelf is constantly being updated with some of the very best, so it seemed only appropriate to share a few with the world.

Who’s up first?

To kick off, we begin with ‘Gargling with Jelly’ by Brian Patten, who we sadly lost in the last few weeks. It’s a really varied collection containing nonsense, philosophy and observations both dark & light. If you like your poetry weird & wonderful, but with a large side serving of poignancy - then this is the collection for you.

Got a favourite Paul?

The Children's Fall-Out Shelter

Deep in their underground shelter

Three people sit in the dark, Remembering how when they were children

The world was lit by a spark.

They were placed in underground shelters

By parents who did not survive.

They were packed into underground shelters

Like bees packed into a hive.

Tom had wanted to be a farmer But the earth was bare as a stone

Bill had wanted to be a hermit But found no place to be alone

Susan had wanted to travel

But the earth was covered in flame

So they sat in their underground shelter

Wondering who was to blame.

Now deep in their underground shelter

Three old people sit in the dark,

Recalling stories of the fire-flood

And of the fire-proof Ark.

Deep in their underground shelter,

Safe from poison and from flames,

They shape coffins out of the cradles

Upon which were written their names.

Bits of info you might need if you’re trying to buy it/find it in the library

First published: 1985

Publisher: Puffin Poetry

Number of poems: 80+

Illustrated by: David Moston