The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Jammy Jammies

There’s jam on your pyjamas,
there’s raspberry in your ear.
A smear of seeds in springy curls:
how did they get here?

Jammy jammies, jammy jammies,
stained all berry sweet.
Jammy jammies, jammy jammies,
learning how to eat.

A sticky comet leaves a trail
on chest and cheek and chin,
but wait - is that a morsel that
has actually gone in?

Jammy jammies, jammy jammies,
stained all berry sweet.
Jammy jammies, jammy jammies,
learning how to eat.

The labrador looks graceful when
he lollops by your toes.
A monkey has more manners
though he’s picking at his nose.

We need a cloth, we need a sponge,
this table’s like a zoo!
Let’s scrub scrub scrub the jam away
for lunch and mess: part two.

Jammy jammies, jammy jammies,
stained all berry sweet.
Jammy jammies, jammy jammies,
learning how to eat.

About the Writer


Caitlin Prouatt

Caitlin is a Brisbane-born, Oxford-based Latin and Greek teacher. When not tutoring or looking after her toddler, Caitlin writes poetry, with a particular interest in how rhythm can contribute to an image. She loves writing about being a parent and the funny and amazing things her daughter does.