Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Dark Matter

Tiz the question - what's the matter?
Most of it's dark apparently,
So chats scientific chatter.
If so, what does dark matter be?
Tiz invisible cosmic stuff
Five times the mass of matter seen.
So far we just don't know enough,
But keep on looking 'twixt and 'tween,
Especially dwarf galaxies,
Where some gamma rays have been found.
Finders are hoping, pretty please,
Dark matter may be close around.

When it's matter over my mind,
I am oft in the dark, I find.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

HillBillill and The Horns of TIME

"Bill - have you read what TIME has done,"
"On the cover in silhouette."
"The 'M' over my head is run"
"Like devil's horns it seems I get."
"Doesn't TIME know that who I am"
"Means media gives m a pass,"
"Not exposure that's meant to damn"
"My goal to be the first Prez lass!"
"Nomination was in the bag,"
"Now lib media smells my blood,"
"And attacks me, like that TIME rag."
"I throw, I don't get hit by mud."

"Who knows what trash talk TIME will tell."
"Bill - TIME is dragging me through hell."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

March Madness '15

I'm marching in March Madness time,
Filling out my brackets to win,
Picking yes/no each b ball climb
Of 67 contests in..
Make like a mathlete, not a fan,
Team recency - evaluate,
Check each on the road record plan,
Winning streaks - how does each team rate?
Shoot, turnover, rebound, free throw -
Stats that denote a team's success.
Weighted variables to know -
Making my gonna get this guess.

The odds are really against me.
March Madness - an odds time to be.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

HillBillill and The For Sale Sign

"Bill - a neighbor has emailed me,"
"That you have posted near the house,"
"A used clean server for sale be."
"Does it include key board and mouse?"
"The neighbor did go on to ask."
"Bill - get up from your soaps and go,"
"And clean up that clean server task."
"This stuff gives me pain - doncha know!"
"Losing control makes me feel ick."
"My drive's looking like a bum steer."
"Bill - get your butt outside real quick,"
"And make that damn sign disappear."

"My White House move will sure be good,"
"Not a 'for sale' sign neighborhood."

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

HillBillill and The Email II

"Bill - just a heads up to remind - "
"I told the world that you and me"
"Did bunches of email to bind"
"Us more together privately."
"Thousands of 'em I did delete,"
"So if you're asked - just do your dumb,"
"Pretend you thought them all so sweet,"
"Though not a one of them did come."
"You are emailess, so you've said,"
"So just do a white water lie,"
"Smile and blame the right wing instead,"
"Per past times - that should get me by."

"So Bill, when you get this email,"
"Heads up - I don't intend to fail."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Snow (Less) Monkeys - LP Zoo

We snow monkeys are watching snow
Melt away with coming of spring
To Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago.
Daylight saving time - what's that thing!
Next door to our habitat,
Lionel train goes round and round,
And humans have to pay for that.
Where do the humans think they're bound?
The humans can watch us for free.
In April, humans will turn on
All the fancy props that there be
Showing our phenomenon.

April opening will be cool.
So come - don't be an April fool.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Tale of a Snow Leopard - LP Zoo

A snow leopard, I've quite a tale
To tell about my tail, I do.
Biggest cat tail on any scale.
Home here at the Lincoln Park Zoo,
My tail's as long as is my bod.
Acts like a blanket in the cold,
Keeps me balanced as I leap pawed.
Fur lined thick, black spotted gold.
When I do hang out in a tree,
Watching all of my world around,
My tail is hanging out with me.
Shaking my tail is fun I've found.

If you're rockin' a rockin' chair,
And rockin' near my tail - beware!

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

HillBillill and The Email

"Bill, email that I did conceal,"
"While I giggled my gig at State,"
"Is being charged as a big deal,"
"Ignoring how special we rate."
"Don't they know the rules aren't for us,"
"That apply to the common folk!"
"Bad publicity - all this fuss."
"Let's tell the press - back off, no joke."
"I did send out a buy time  tweet,"
"On my email - do the 'right' thing,"
"Code for lackies to take the heat,"
"Keep me safe and blame the right wing."

"Bill - bail me out on my email,"
"Cuz you're good at parsing detail."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Solomon Islands Skink - LP Zoo

I'm a Solomon Islands skink
Stationed at the Lincoln Park Zoo,
Time and place for good work, I think,
For this reptile lizard to do.
Named for Scincidae family,
We from S.I. are largest known,
And like to hang out in a tree,
In a circulus fam'ly zone.
Herbivorous - we eat just plant.
Lustrous hues of yellow green scale
From head of triangular slant
To the tip of prehensile tail.

Humans who visit me, I've found,
Enjoy watching me skink around.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

The Scratchin' Tree - LP Zoo

A\lion has a need to scratch
The itches I get, so I do.
A tree is perfect for this - natch!
In my space at Lincoln Park Zoo.
In the Main Mall, I notice that
Humans have chopped all the trees down,
Right next door to my habitat.
This treeless scene does make me frown.
Humans aren't gonna scratch my back,
So they best leave my tree alone.
I'm on guard for any bushwhack
That humans attempt in my zone.

Anything happens to my tree
Will make me itchy ornery.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Open Door

While driving through Safari Park,
Some folks stopped by me in their car,
Watching, one of them did remark,
"I can picture you as a star."
And started filming me by phone.
I went over to check it out,
Wanting my best side to be shown.
The closer, the better - no doubt.
The car window was grimy, so
I gave the folks a better view.
The folks seemed upset, doncha know,
What did they expect me to do!

I guess they'd never seen before,
A lion open a car door.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Bloody Sunday

The "Bloody Sunday" march took place
March 7, 1965.
Most marchers were of Negro race,
To make their dreams of rights be live.
Upon a bridge in Selma town,
State troopers went on the attack,
And beat the marchers bloody down.
How would the nation now come back,
After this crime the nation saw?
The federal government did act.
The Voting Rights Act became law.
A wrong made right should be a fact.

The right to vote wrongs of the past,
Reminders for the future cast.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

Human on Exhibit - LP Zoo

Lion here at Lincoln Park Zoo,
I'm watching the humans next door,
Ripping up the Main Mall they do,
Making noise louder than my roar.
"Minor repair" the words I hear.
Sure taking a lot of time and mess
For something so simple and clear.
Humans just complicate, I guess.
Build up, tear down, build up again.
In circles, humans seem to go,
Pulling stuff out, putting stuff in.
But it's fun to watch - doncha know!

Main Mall - right now not much to see.
I show my mane and maul for free.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

HillBillill and The Dress

"Bill, will the scandal never stop?"
"National Portrait Gallery -"
"You're painted where your pants don't drop,"
"But there's a shadow all can see."
"That sneaky artist did admit,"
"That when you were not there to pose,"
"There was a blue dress fit to sit,"
"And next to you it's shadow shows,"
"And on your left side - not your right."
"What dif'rence does it make, I say?"
"We've got to get it out of sight."
"Press the press - make it go away."

"Bill, as I do my Prez campaign,"
"Who knows what all you're gonna stain!"

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Camel Milk - LP Zoo

A camel at Lincoln Park Zoo,
Sometimes I look over the bridge
To the farm and dairy cow crew.
What we make common in your fridge
Is milk, but humans do not drink
Zoo made milk cuz of reg and rule.
But 'twixt and 'tween the milks, I think
For camel milk, humans should drool.
More nutrient and more protein,
Less fatty acid, less lactose.
Drink and you will see what I mean.
You'll gulp it in a megadose.

In the store, you should start the talk,
"Do you have camel milk in stock?"

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

From Who's Point of View

Just a weasel out looking for
Something tasty to snack upon.
I see this woodpecker asnore,
And on the ground, so I hop on.
This gets the woodpecker awake,
And off into the air we fly.
I'm thinking this was a mistake.
Picture snapping human I spy,
So I am not focused real well.
The bird crash lands and off I'm thrown.
The bird leaves me snackless - life's hell.
My failure goes in viral zone..

If I am any evidence,
Pop goes the weasel now makes sense.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Anana Vacationing - LP Zoo

This is Anana saying, "Hi"
To all at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
North Carolina fulfills my
Polar bear awesome that I do.
The southern hospitality
For this here "yankee" has been great.
Lots of keeping busy there be,
Including seeking the right mate.
One thing I'd thought I'd left behind
In Chicago was playtime snow.
But old man winter was so kind,
And dumped me a bunch - doncha know!

I think I'm picking up a drawl -
Not just a "grrr" but a "grrr y'all."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Bella - LP Zoo

Bella, baby gorilla girl,
New born at the Lincoln Park Zoo,
Where life goes by in such a whirl.
I watch in wonder, yes I do,
Knowing that Mama is close by,
Giving me all the love that I need.
Strange creatures loom - I don't know why.
I'm safe with Mama - yes indeed.
Mama says they are humankind,
That we are here to help them be
Of a more understanding mind.
They are better when they see me.

So to my party - welcome all.
I am the Bella of the Ball.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Taza Spots - LP Zoo

I am Taza, snow leopard lad,
Hanging out at Lincoln Park Zoo,
South Lion House outside - my pad,
Where I have got a top cat's view
Of all the humans walking by.
That's okay cuz that's why I'm here.
But birds and squirrels catch my eye,
And planes overhead catch my ear.
Sexy lynx sisters live next door,
Older gals who do like to flirt.
But I'm too young to seek amor.
In a few years - I'll sex alert.

Till then a kiddy cat at heart,
Spotting the Zoo - doing my part.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Yellow Spotted? - LP Zoo

A yellow spotted Amazon
River turtle, my naming be.
But my yellow spots are long gone,
Since I came in '73.
Back then 'twas just a turtle lad.
The yellow spots do fade with age.
Not having them is not so bad.
Of course when I take center stage,
Inquiring humans read my name,
Then find me spotlessly nearby.
I do enjoy playing the game -
Don't spot the spots and don't know why!

The puzzled question's heard a lot -
So why no yellow spots to spot?

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Seal Whiskers

Whiskers, whiskers - I got a bunch,
As any harbor seal has got.
Whiskers help us to find some lunch -
Seafood, fish and crabs and whatnot,
That underwater we can't see,
Becuz of all the murkiness.
We feel vibrations that there be
Against our whiskers, and guess,
Depending on vibrating size,
If this be a catch of the day.
If so, we're off to grab the prize,
Thanks to the feel good whiskers way.

So when you see a well fed seal,
Whiskers - a big part of the deal.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Samba Turkana

A brand new bee is beeing found,
Named Samba turkana to bee.
The area of Kenyan ground,
Where I let humans beehold me.
Bee a black head, bee an orange bod,
Bee claws on legs and bee no stripes.
Bee no hive, but bee under sod.
Bee a loner, bee social - yipes!
Beeing a gal, I need a guy
To buzz around for just one thing.
He beegat that, then he bee die,
The only use for he beeing.

So what will bee will bee becuz
What bee beefore already wuz.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Progress? - LP Zoo

I'm Mito, female snow monkey,
Newcomer to Lincoln Park Zoo.
Nearby, I see and hear there be
The rearranging humans do,
Chopping down maple trees to plant
Elm trees in dif'rent rows instead.
Humans make sense of it - I can't.
Human faces should blush more red.
I hear penguins used to be here,
Where we snow monkeys now reside.
I wonder when we'll disappear,
For replacement, humans decide.

Have to get used to it, I guess.
Humans do dumb - call it progress.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Eye Dress

Is the dress really black and blue?
Is the dress really white and gold?
News media just had to do
This news - the world was put on hold.
The eye of the beholder is
Sending the info to the brain,
Interpreting all color biz,
To come up with conclusion plain.
The colored dress is in plain sight,
But its black and blue lines change
By how they're struck by outside light,
And then my mind can rearrange.

I see it now as a surprise.
I really can't believe my eyes.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy, do rest in peace.
Generations watched your Star Trek.
Mr. Spock's role will never cease,
Pointed ears pay off - what the heck!
The series did not last too long,
But later movies filled the bill.
The role of Spock continues strong,
Trekking through time, and always will.
You've passed to your final frontier.
The planet Earth pays you tribute.
While we try not to shed a tear,
We give you the Vulcan salute.

Thank you for your time and space walk.
Love long and prosper, Mr. Spock.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

It's a Girl - LP Zoo

And here I come, ready or not,
Mama Bahati, Papa Kwan,
And the Lincoln Park Zoo has got
A gorilla girl babe add on.
I'm sticking close to Mama cuz
Love, food and bed come straight from her.
Not sure what ev'ryone else does,
But I will know in time, I'm sure.
Some sisters and aunts have dropped by.
Looks like I found a family,
Where lots of fun is in supply.
I picked a real good place to be.

So visitors come check me out,
And I will make your day, no doubt!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

FavoRat

Rats are found to reciprocate -
Help another for no quick gain.
Goes beyond just cooperate,
And makes a rat seem more humane.
Rats remember apparently,
A favor from another rat,
Reciprocate accordingly,
A later tit for former tat.
Rats by now do probably know
Favors from humans are in lack.
Humans don't really like rats, so
No need to pay no favor back.

Rats reciprocate once they think
The ship they're on's about to sink.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Flu over the Nest - LP Zoo

Birds endangered critically
Have got to watch out for bird flu.
So a Bali mynah like me
Depends on the Lincoln Park Zoo
To provide safe environment
For birds of many a feather.
A flu bug spreads a vast torment,
So all life must stick together.
One never knows just when or where
A flu bug will decide to land,
So it is good, Zoo humans care,
And what to do already planned.

So I am here to spread the word.
No flu - good news to give the bird.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Patsy  - LP Zoo

I'm Patsy, an aardvark I be,
Home comfy at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Nocturnal, so when you see me,
I'm prob'ly snoozing daytime do.
Neighbors are meerkats and giraffes
In the African Journey digs.
All of us have a lot of laughs,
Watching the human jags and jigs.
Ants and termites are the main course
That I would eat out in the wild.
Loose in the Zoo, they'd cause remorse,
So I have substitutes stockpiled.

Awake, I dig in the red dirt.
That's why I look like red alert.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Is...ic

The term, Islamic extremist
Is the focus of deep debate.
No doubt the problem does exist.
The I.S. means Islamic State,
Followed by I.S. or I.L.
I. for Iraq, L. for Levant,
Or S. for Syria, do tell.
One would think that termers would want
To briefly term the enemy,
Deserving of destruction worth,
And quickly make that a fact be,
Before the "blank" blankets the Earth.

Alphabetic enemy - yes!
Works, describing the I.R.S.!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

On the Flamingo - LP Zoo

We are flamingos to be seen
Outside at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Due to the fact we are Chilean,
Chicago weather we can do.
Humans do something to the wings,
So that we do not need to fly,
One of those need in the wild things,
But Zoo happy beneath the sky.
There do be times we are inside,
Cuz wings can spread in blowing wind,
And up and away we would glide
By a known means to unknown end.

The Windy City, doncha know,
Stiff winds come and flamingo go.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Meller's Chameleon - LP Zoo

Meller's chameleon is my name.
Changing colors - yes I can do.
And changing address, I am game,
Now reside at Lincoln Park Zoo.
In the Small Reptile House find me,
Prob'ly hanging out on a limb.
Still a juvenile lizard be.
From the tip of horn on my rim
To the end of my can curl tail,
I will grow to two feet or more.
My mood determines color scale.
Bug gets in tongue range, I will score.

Independent rotating eyes,
All about I visualize.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach - LP Zoo

Madagascar hissing cockroach,
See us at the Lincoln Park Zoo,
African Journey we encroach
In mass behind glass, just for you.
We moult the exoskeleton
Through life cycles as we mature.
Mom Nature says it must be done,
So we do it. Why? We're not sure.
How do we make the hissing sound?
It's a matter of forcing air
Through openings on tummy found.
Ah - the hissing that comes from there.

When in the mating mood we hiss.
Think of it like when humans kiss.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Snow Monkeys for LP Zoo

Macaque snow monkeys - we are here,
Now home at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
From far Japan we did appear.
Wanna know how? Bethcha do!
The Zoo human powers that be
Got together deciding that
Chicago yearned for snow monkey,
And built us a new habitat,
Which has a lot of fancy stuff -
Hot springs and computer touch screen.
We could not get here fast enough,
And make the Windy City scene.

So humans - you sometimes act dumb,
But you did smart to let us come.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Come Out and Play

I hear that human studies say
That in the game of life, I do
Seem to really have fun in play,
And not just work the whole day through.
I take time out to bounce a ball.
So far, no one will play with me.
I guess such fun's not for us all.
A ball's to be or not to be.
Oh yes, I'm a show off at heart.
Bright flowers in my teeth I stick,
Pretending I'm a work of art,
Daring all - my flowers to pick.

Human studies do make me smile,
Cuz I'm a playful crocodile.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Chameleonize Eyes

My chameleon eyes do see
In a 5 to 10 meter range,
All in a 360 degree,
Focusing on to any change.
Both eyes protrude out from my head,
Moving independently, so
Don't have to watch just you, instead
Whatever's round you - doncha know!
Be you a predator or prey,
In camouflage I sit real still,
Zoomed in to see you be which way,
Then act accordingly, I will.

I eye you and I see surprise.
I bet you can't believe my eyes.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Washington Monument

I, the Washington Monument,
Was built in Washington, D.C.
George made a name - that's evident.
So thanks to him, I came to be.
An obelisk made all of stone,
Took over 50 years to do.
Loads of human squabbling got thrown
Into the mix, but I got through.
Over 500 feet I rise.
An earthquake failed to bring me down.
Well known symbol up in the skies,
A good thing done in D.C. town.

There's something about me that's weird.
Ten inches of me disappeared.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Gold Swift Moth

The gold swift moth does play the game
Of love acrobatically.
Smorgasbord moves of mating aim,
Both male and female equal be.
First choice to first who gives the eye.
Bug Kama Sutra how to woo,
Multi positions - gal and guy,
Achieving whoopee bliss for two.
Why did this moth evolve this way?
From human studies it is told
There's ever danger in sex play,
Must do it swift to get the gold.

The gold swift moth is resourceful
On moves to make intercoursefull.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Seeing Red - LP Zoo

As a snow monkey gal, I do
Wish to warn human females that,
When visiting Lincoln Park Zoo,
Don't wear red near my habitat.
Red for a female snow monkey
Intensifies on face and rump,
When in the mood for mating be.
Competing levels really jump.
So the redder any female,
Is deemed by me to be a threat.
And I will really rant and rail -
Make quite a scene, you better bet.

Human females - warning be spread.
Come to the Zoo, but not in red.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Antlers Away - LP Zoo

A white lipped deer, I've got lips white.
Me and the Missus, we both do.
But you'll know it's me when you sight
My antlers at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Each year, each set gets traded in,
Like humans might do with a car.
Old ones drop off, new ones begin.
That's just the way my antlers are.
Impressing the Missus is why.
On and off antlers, all in all,
Keep me being one sexy guy.
Fall off in spring, spring back by fall.

Dropping antlers, after a while,
I've got quite an impressive pile.