Dom Conlon, poet & author

Category: Poems/Stories

  • Arnold Beaker—a nursery rhyme

    Arnold Beaker had the flu– Sneezed so hard and filled his shoe, Didn’t want to wear it then, So gulped it down inside again. — Illustration courtesy and copyright, Jools Wilson. View more of her work here.

  • The Boy at the End of the World

    a fable by Dom Conlon ONCE THERE WAS A BOY who loved his daddy so much that when the time came for them to say goodbye he cried and said “take me with you. I want to be by your side and see the world.” But the boy’s daddy shook his head and said “I…

  • The Sign of a Whine

    Your jaw must have a rusty hinge, It often sounds as though you whinge. I’ve heard it squeak, I’ve heard it moan, I’ve even heard it wail and groan. So now I’m sure that if you cough Your jaw will one day snap right off. — Illustration courtesy and copyright, Jools Wilson. View more of…

  • 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 Terrible Terribell

    For each slow bong of the Terribell Be sure to know that someone fell. They walked until they flopped and dropped Until their heart just upped and stopped. If only we had let them stay, Not ushered them upon their way. Perhaps that might have saved us all From hearing its most awful call. —

  • Weather Limerick

    This weather limerick came about because one of my many wonderful nieces is studying to be a teacher. It will be her (and others just as dedicated) who may well be among the first people to inspire children. Their example will set a benchmark, a candle even, which will remain with the child for the…

  • The Crumpet

    To eat a crumpet is to explore the moon. That cratered disc, that pale joy, shines bright beneath this hungry telescope. In the darkness of morning it beckons the mouth to eclipse its surface, to land, to probe for its buttery secrets. — Illustration courtesy and copyright Jools Wilson.

  • I Don’t Bite (much)

    Hey! Reader! How are you? Here’s something you might want to know about this story: the name of our vampire hero is Keskiyö. It means ‘midnight’ in Finnish. I pronounce it as ‘kesk’ (as in desk) E-oh. Keskiyö the vampire had everything she could possibly want. She lived in a fine old house with secret…

  • 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…