Dom Conlon, poet & author

Category: Bedtime Book

  • Go to sleep, my baby—a nursery rhyme

    from the Wicked Children’s Book of Nursery Rhymes Go to sleep, my baby and maybe you’ll sleep sound, I’m sure you won’t be kidnapped or buried in the ground. Go to sleep, my baby and don’t give in to fear of waking up without your teeth and only half an ear. Go to sleep, my…

  • One Knot, Two Knot—a nursery rhyme

    from the Wicked Children’s Book of Nursery Rhymes One knot two knot three knot do not knot the cord at night. Four knot five knot six knot why not knot the cord at night? Seven knot eight nine knot slip knot the hangman’s noose is tight. — Illustration from The British Library.

  • The Hill Witch—a nursery rhyme

    from the Wicked Children’s Book of Nursery Rhymes I grew from the touch of weeds and wood I grew from the taste of ripe red blood I grew from the sound of boots in mud I grew and I grew from where you stood You fell and they left and went away You fell and…

  • The Bind Witch—a nursery rhyme

    from the Wicked Children’s Book of Nursery Rhymes She is hiding from the stars in the forest of your dreams. She holds the shadows on her face and nothing’s what it seems. The Bind Witch is waiting. She gathers all the wind up in the tangle of her hair. She bends across the pathways to…

  • The Witch

    Who killed the witch in the ditch? Who left her head in the bed? Who hid her hand in golden sand, And what makes you think she’s DEAD? — This nonsense poem is PERFECT for Halloween. To read it you must start off in a quiet voice and look around, accusingly, at everyone in the…

  • The Worse Than Worse Verse

    Don’t talk to me about the day you’ve had I’ve had a day to turn an angel bad. Don’t talk to me about having it tough I’ve had enough to make glass feel rough. Don’t talk to me about seeing red I’ve seen things to raise the dead. Don’t talk to me about feeling down…

  • Dr Dribble’s Evil Experience

    Being a doctor is easy, All you need is a coat. You poke folk with a stick Until they feel sick Right in the back of the throat. Being a doctor is easy, All you need is a bag. You can make the kids jump, With a good solid thump, And inject them whenever they…

  • Dr Dribble’s Dire Dilemma

    When someone is hurt, you need Dr Dribble, Whatever my price, you must never quibble. Move aside, make room, and give me some space It’s time for the doctor to look at your face. I see it has lumps where there should be a nose I see it has bumps in the shape of a…

  • Dr Dribble’s Deadly Diagnosis

    Open your mouth and say “AH!” AH! Stand on one leg and say “AH!” AH! Hold your nose and your ear (there’s nothing to fear) then say “AH!” AH! Yes it’s quite plain to see from the lump on your knee that the problem is how you say AH! So hand me my tweezers and…

  • Dr Dribble’s Diabolical Disease Diary

    There’s nothing so pleasing as the act of diseasing An innocent child or two. To see them break out with claws or a snout Will always feel wonderfully new. On Monday I’ll lurk at the school where I work And strike down a boy with the mumps. There’ll be cries of boo-hoo, and snot like…