Strange Tree
From these broad branching trees
bloom socks, undies and tees,
there are trousers and
skirts and pullovers.
I don’t worry for dirt
on the hem of my skirt
or tears in my shirt
when play’s over.
I just grab what I need,
freshly bloomed, from the tree,
there’s always clothes there
in my size.
I am happy to share,
hope the tree’s never bare,
no more clothes would be
quite a surprise!
bloom socks, undies and tees,
there are trousers and
skirts and pullovers.
I don’t worry for dirt
on the hem of my skirt
or tears in my shirt
when play’s over.
I just grab what I need,
freshly bloomed, from the tree,
there’s always clothes there
in my size.
I am happy to share,
hope the tree’s never bare,
no more clothes would be
quite a surprise!
This poem is copyright (©) Melinda Szymanik 2026
About the Writer
Melinda Szymanik
Melinda is an award-winning New Zealand author of picture books, short stories and novels for children and young adults. Notable titles include The Were-Nana (Scholastic, 2008) winner of Children’s Choice at the 2009 NZ Post Children’s Book Awards, A Winter’s Day in 1939 (Scholastic, 2013) winner of Librarian’s Choice at the 2014 LIANZA Awards, and Fuzzy Doodle (Scholastic, 2016) a 2017 White Raven selection. She also writes poetry for adults and children, and regularly teaches creative writing.
