Not Caving
Listen to Gillian ...
I don’t want to go in that cave.
It’s very dark and I’m not that brave.
There might be bats that don’t behave.
I want to stay out here.
I’m quite scared of the slimy smell.
Anything could be in there - I can’t tell.
I’m frightened of an echo if I yell.
I want to stay out here.
I don’t like the slippery wall.
I’d really hate to skid and fall.
The cave is big and I am small.
I want to stay out here
I hate caves - they’re not for me.
They’re colder and damper than I like to be.
So even though there’s no entry fee,
I’m going to stay out here.
It’s very dark and I’m not that brave.
There might be bats that don’t behave.
I want to stay out here.
I’m quite scared of the slimy smell.
Anything could be in there - I can’t tell.
I’m frightened of an echo if I yell.
I want to stay out here.
I don’t like the slippery wall.
I’d really hate to skid and fall.
The cave is big and I am small.
I want to stay out here
I hate caves - they’re not for me.
They’re colder and damper than I like to be.
So even though there’s no entry fee,
I’m going to stay out here.
This poem is copyright (©) Gillian Spiller 2025
About the Writer
Gillian Spiller
Gillian Spiller is a Scottish poet and children’s author, who has spent many years living and teaching in S-E Asia, E Asia and the Middle East. She is the author of four picture books, The Blue Sock (2019), Star Sailor (2020), On The Shelf (2021) and A Shell for Cleo (2022) by Marshall Cavendish Ltd. (Asia). Her poetry for children is available on the British Council’s Learn English Kids website, as well as here on The Dirigible Balloon.
