Things I Can and Can't Do
I can laugh like a hyena
I can purr like a cat.
I can bark like a dog.
I can flap like a bat.
I can roar like a lion.
I can buzz like a bee.
But I can’t breathe fire.
And I can’t drink the sea.
I can cackle like a witch,
I can juggle like a clown.
I can walk with a smile.
I can slouch with a frown.
I can run like a rabbit.
I can fly a balloon.
But I can’t lift a mountain.
And I can’t touch the moon.
I can play the piano.
I can sing if you like?
I can catch a cold.
I can ride a bike.
I can leap like a frog.
I can bounce like a Roo.
But I can’t lick my elbow.
How about you?
I can purr like a cat.
I can bark like a dog.
I can flap like a bat.
I can roar like a lion.
I can buzz like a bee.
But I can’t breathe fire.
And I can’t drink the sea.
I can cackle like a witch,
I can juggle like a clown.
I can walk with a smile.
I can slouch with a frown.
I can run like a rabbit.
I can fly a balloon.
But I can’t lift a mountain.
And I can’t touch the moon.
I can play the piano.
I can sing if you like?
I can catch a cold.
I can ride a bike.
I can leap like a frog.
I can bounce like a Roo.
But I can’t lick my elbow.
How about you?
This poem is copyright (©) Val Harris 2026
About the Writer
Val Harris
Val lives near Farnham in England. Her debut children’s poem was published online at The Dirigible Balloon, along with several others since then. Her poems have been published in The Caterpillar Magazine, Paperbound Magazine, The Toy Press and Little Thoughts Press. Her first poetry collection, A Classroom of Stars, was published at the end of 2022. She is @valpoet on Instagram and @dragontripper Val Poet on Twitter. Website: www.valharrispoet.co.uk
