Poems for Kids

This Poems for Kids online page is about poems for children to memorize, to read, to receive, about school, friends. Some are here and others may be found by following the links. Also some videos to help kids learn their ABC's

What the Romans Did for Us

Next time you're on a train
Notice how long and skinny they are
They're not much wider
Than your Daddy's car


You have to use a calendar
Because trains are thin
If you don't book a seat
They'll just not let you in


The Romans gave us our calendar
Which is very handy, coz
Without dates, you wouldn't know
When your birthday was


If you look out the train window
You might see tall arches over deep valleys
That's a Roman invented aqueduct
It's water that it carries


And if you're ill through overcrowding
Because the trains are thin
Say thanks to the Romans
For they brought us medicine


And the train will be safe from robbers
(Coz they're now all running banks)
For our system of law and order
The Romans deserve our thanks


If you're traveling in the Winter
You'll be cozy on the train
Because of the central heating
We can thank those Romans again


If you're traveling in the Summer
Thank the Romans for this too
For without the baths they invented
We'd all be Stinky Poo


If from the window, you see cars
And trucks with heavy loads
They'll be traveling fast and straight
Along what once were Roman roads


And in giving thanks to the Romans
Gratitude is what we say
Why, even that word is Roman
As are many, we speak today


And do you know why trains are skinny
Why they're not very fat
Well, we can blame the Romans..yes blame
We can blame them for that


Trains were made thin
To match the tramways in the street
They kept them the same width
To keep everything neat


The tramlines were that size
Because of the covered wagons before
They already had the manufacturing jigs
And they didn't want to make more


The wagons were that size
To match the ruts in the roads
Caused by the Romans with their chariots
Carrying heavy loads


The chariots were that size
Not very wide
To attach the shafts to two horses
Running side by side


The Romans should have used animals
Like an elephant or hippo or bull
If they'd had much bigger bottoms
Our trains wouldn't get so full


So next time your train arrives
And it's already full when it comes
Say loudly "All right... the Romans give us sanitation, roads, aqueducts,blah..blah...
But they should have used animals... ...with much bigger bums

Jon Bratton 2009

This poem, altered slightly for a younger age group, can be found here, with a host more poems for kids on the theme History for Kids

Fun Way to Learn A B C

Here's another in the collection Poems for Kids

What Would You Rather Bee or a Wasp?

A man goes into a fruit and veg store
"I'll have two apples, an orange, oh and a wasp, by jingo"
The shop keeper said "But sir, we don't sell wasps"
"Really?" the man said "But, you've got some in the window!"

Jon Bratton 2010


Here's another in the Poems for Kids collecion

Poem in Blank Verse

Jon Bratton 2006

Did you like that one?


Lots More Fabulous Poems for Kids

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