The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Lewi's Secret

Lewi McPhee’s a collector of keys.
He keeps them concealed in a drawer.
Some he has found just lying around,
but several he stole from next door.

He has keys that lock windows
and keys for the shed.
He has keys for some diaries
he hasn’t yet read.

He has keys for a money box
owned by his brother
and keys for the Volvo
misplaced by his mother.

He has keys for a tool box,
his father’s great treasure.
To see Dad in search mode
gives Lewi such pleasure.

He has keys that are ancient
and keys that are new.
Well, people are careless,
that’s our Lewi’s view.

Lewi McPhee’s a collector of keys.
He keeps them concealed in a drawer.
His intention is clear, that year after year,
he intends to collect hundreds more.

About the Writer


Pat Simmons

Pat Simmons lives at Scarborough, NSW, Australia, with her cats, Mr. Meowgi and Oscar. She writes picture book texts, poetry, short stories and adult flash fiction. Pat arrived in Australia from Leicester in 1974 so she’s lived in Oz for a long time! Her poems have been published in anthologies and children’s literary magazines.