The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Roo

ROO is what I named my cat.
It’s short for kangaROO.
And if you wonder why,
I’d gladly enlighten you!

He doesn’t have big ears,
and it’s not because he hops.
So how come I picked ROO?
It’s the way his belly flops!

My cat’s marsupial tummy
is behind the name I chose.
His fuzzy pouch-like belly
hangs down wherever he goes.

It swings and sways and droops,
and wobbles just a little.
It may seem rather silly,
but I love his squishy middle!

I’m certain my cat, Roo,
wears his quirky name with pride.
He struts around the house,
pouch swinging side to side.

About the Writer


Jenna Stehler

Jenna is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo with a BS in Childhood Education and an MS in Reading and Literacy. She taught first and second grade for six years and is now focused on writing. She has contributed several articles to Motherly and has been published by Her View From Home. Jenna is a member of SCBWI and her Instagram account is dedicated to children’s literature -- jms_brilliantbooks.