Once upon a time
I caught a little rhyme

I set it on the floor
but it ran right out the door

I chassed it on my bicycle
bu ti melted to an icicle

I scooped it up in my hat
but it turned into a cat

I caught it by the tail
but it stretched into a whale

I followed it in a boat
but it changed into a goat

When I fed it tin and paper
it became a tall skyscraper!

Then it grew into a kite
and flew far out of sight

When first they pushed me I was very scared.
My tummy jiggled. I was Unprepared.

The second time was higher and my ears.
Were cold with whisperings of tiny fears.

The third time up was HIGH, My teeth on edge.
My heart leapt off the bedroom window ledge.

The fourth time, Oh, the fourth time it was mad.
My shirt flew off the world and I was glad.

No one's pushing now, My ears are ringing.
Who'll see across the park a small girl swinging?

Who' ll hear across the park her mother calling.
And everywhere her shadows rising, falling? George Szirtes

It's the dragon's birthday party,
he's ten years old today.
'Come and do your special trick,'
I heard his mother say.

We crowded round the table,
we pushed and shoved to see
as someone brought the cake mix in
and the dragon laughed with glee.

It was just a bowl with flour in
and eggs and milk and that
with ten blue candle round the top
in the shape of Postman Pat.

The dragon took a big deep breath
stood up to his full size
and blew a blast of smok and flame
that made us shut our eyes.

We felt the air grow hotter
we knew the taste of fear.
I felt a spark fly through the air
and land on my left ear.

But when we looked,
make no mistake:
the candles were lit
and the cake was baked.