Dina Anastasio

It's Dark Outside!

Published in Nick Jr Magazine
August/​September 2002

I go out into the night,
And watch my twirling whirling light
Jump and spin and fly and glide.
I'm so glad it's dark outside!

My light plays hide and seek up there
Inside some stars shaped like a bear.

The little dipper is its slide.
I'm so glad it's dark outside!

Tonight it raced a shooting star
And rode a jet plane very far.

A firefly took it for a ride.
I'm so glad it's dark outside!

Is that a yellow round balloon
Floating up to kiss the moon?
Is that my light? I can't decide.
I'm so glad it's dark outside!

I go out into the night.
I dip and skip my little light.
It slides and rides and glides and hides.
I'm so glad it's dark outside!

From PASS THE PEAS, PLEASE: A BOOK OF MANNERS

If your great-aunt gives you candy,
And you friends would like a lot,
It's nice to share a little,
Even though you'd rather not.

SCIENCE POEMS

I Thought It was a Twig

I almost snapped a walking stick.
It wasn't very big.
I was strolling through the woods,
And thought it was a twig.

The walking stick lay taut and still.
It almost fooled me,
Until I saw it shudder as
My fingers touched the tree.

I almost snapped a walking stick.
It wasn't very big.
Until its body trembled,
I thought it was a twig.



Barefoot

As I was walking barefoot
Through a late October day,
I came upon a porcupine,
Humming on his way.

His quills rose up to greet me,
I shrugged and stepped away.
He padded on and hummed some more,
On that late October day.