Here’s a poem I wrote quite a while ago about extreme rain and flooding. It’s a good introduction to teaching about natural disasters, as well as the benefits of natural flood defences such as trees. While I assert my right to be identified as the author of this poem etc., educators are very welcome to print it off and use it.

Reading it after all this time makes me think it needs a final verse to round it off.  If you can suggest one, please post in the comments below.

The Floods

The rain came down and swallowed the town
and the river began to rise.
Soaking wet children were sent home from school
and the lollypop lady capsized.

Wheely bins, bus stops, cats and dogs
went swimming along down the street.         
Wellington boots doubled in price
and deckchairs were sold off cheap. 

In bungalows, semis, in flats and in sheds
the river had come round to stay.
It seeped into crannies and frightened the grannies
then it led the canal astray.

If only the trees had not been cut down
to make way for houses and shops.
Trees soak up water and hold back the floods
and generally act like huge mops.

By Christine McLaughlin,
Director of Teaching and Learning, Better Tuition Centre.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net