About Rhona Stephens:

I grew up in Northern Ireland, went to university in Wales, moved to England for a while, then headed north of the border to live in Scotland. I love words and music, living in the country and visiting the coast – especially the north coast of Ireland.

 

With number work and writing done,

I can go out, play in the sun;

this is the best part of my day

as fears and flusters fade away.

 

Sad things that happened, things untrue,

the things I must or cannot do,

the hurtful words, a scold or shout –

they go away when I go out.

 

There, dragonflies with rainbow wings,

the speckled thrush who shyly sings,

the busy buzzy bumbly bee,

all say, come play, come play with me!

 

The teasing wind that tugs my hair,

the spider in her secret lair,

the drowsy daisies, soft sweet pea,

all wave and whisper, play with me!

 

Plump centipedes and sluggish slugs,

pink wriggly worms and beetle bugs,

pale woodlice in the fallen tree,

all send a signal, play with me!

 

I have a secret home out there,

with mossy carpet, woodlog chair;

beneath the swaying apple tree

my friends can come and play with me.

 

On beech leaf boats we sail away

or fly on ash wings as we play

and do just as we please till tea,

when Mummy comes to look for me.