Jasper B. Livingstone’s Boat
I always imagined
I’d live out my days
lolling about
in the depths of the waterways.
I’s just a pebble.
This vessel, but bark.
This sail, but a leaf.
Until, for a lark,
young Jasper B. Livingstone
fashioned a boat
and anointed me, Captain.
Now look at me float!
I’d live out my days
lolling about
in the depths of the waterways.
I’s just a pebble.
This vessel, but bark.
This sail, but a leaf.
Until, for a lark,
young Jasper B. Livingstone
fashioned a boat
and anointed me, Captain.
Now look at me float!

Picture by Imogen
This poem is copyright (©) Imogen Hartland 2025

About the Writer
Imogen Hartland
Imogen is a data analyst by day, and an aspiring picture book writer by night. She likes words that sound like ice-skating manoeuvres (like rickety, tarantula and highlight) and giant palettes of little things (like the zipper section in a haberdashery store, or a display of macarons—yum!). She lives in Dharawal country in Sydney near some rock pools and the bush, and you can find her on Instagram @i.hearts.arts.and.crafts.