My Country

• James West, Grade 5, Cranbrook Junior School
• Poetry
• 2000

3rd in the 'Watch Out! 2000' competition

My country starts at the ocean floor.
And goes to a place where buildings soar.

We wake each day to a gold sunrise.
At night the sky is a million eyes.

Mountains and forests like you’ve never seen.
Orange deserts with a hint of green.

Vast fields and farmers growing crops.
Cities with gardens and chimney tops.

Native animals go on a nightly prowl.
While household pets go ‘woof’, ‘meow’.

My country’s people come from everywhere.
We live together we work and share.

It’s a place where you’ll find a friendly mate.
As a place to live I think it’s great.