Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Cow Town - LP Zoo

At Lincoln Park Farm in the Zoo,
We dairy cow girls get the chance
To do something dif'rent, we do,
Yes, a moomentous circumstance,
To get away from the hum drum
Of the ordinary farm life,
Mooving on into show biz some,
Being more than mother and wife.
Humans in Chicago can see
The for real milk making machine.
How cow amoozed humans do be,
Watching us in the fun farm scene.

So we girls all enjoy the stay,
A "hay"cation - hip hip hooray!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Eyes Age

The Greenland shark, humans call me.
Insofar as vertebrates go,
I am the oldest one that be,
Maybe 300 years or so.
Humans can tell this from my eyes.
My lens count up like rings on trees.
I avoid humans - no surprise.
Don't poke my eyeballs if you please!
Humans are weird - I don't know why.
They do us bad and then they do
The guilt trip thing in large supply,
Causing a bunch of stinkaroo.

How do I count a human's age?
I let my jaws do my math gauge.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Fall of a Giant

'Twas a giant sequoia tree
Alive a thousand years or more,
Then some humans thought it would be
Profitable to cut a door -
A tunnel through the massive trunk,
So horse drawn wagons could drive through.
Later drove through gas powered junk,
Became quite a tourist  to do.
A hundred thirty years went by.
The tree lived up to worldwide fame.
Through time the tree did slowly die.
Twenty seventeen - the end came.

No more tickets through it to sell.
The tree did shatter as it fell.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Alloparenting - LP Zoo

Colobus monkeys, ones who do
Alloparenting of their young,
Can be seen at Lincoln Park Zoo,
Sharing the parenting among
Colobus Mom with daughter one,
Who wants to help with the baby,
But is not sure what should be done.
So Mom is telling daughter, she
Should handle the baby with care,
And hold the baby gently so
That special bonding each may share,
Helping young and youngest to grow.

"And daughter, just one more detail,"
"Please do not pull the baby's tail."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Jericho Skull

The Jericho Skull be my name.
Dug up from under Jericho,
Nine thousand years after I came,
To be made up and put on show.
It was the custom that my head
Be adorned to better adore
Me even after I be dead.
I guess a nice touch to die for.
Was lost then found by future folk.
Back on show in a museum.
Got a high tech facial - no joke!
Hey - this dude turned out quite handsome.

The purpose of this sonnet rhyme -
Tell I am a head of my time.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

A Comet's Wrath!

Noah built an Ark for the flood,
Because the Bible tells us so.
The whole of Earth turned into mud.
But why? - we really want to know.
If God was so mad way back then,
Surely God must be madder now.
So will we get THE flood again?
This time will science tell us how?
Some say the Great Flood was caused by
A close comet in the fast lane,
Making big breaks in ground and sky,
And causing all to really rain.

Each time a comet does come here,
Best make sure that an Ark is near.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Biblical James

In the Bible I am called James.
There is confusion about me,
With variation of the names.
Brother of Jesus - did I be?
Some say a cousin, but not bro.
Some say a step bro - Joseph's son.
Nobody's ever gonna know
Just how my being born was done.
Jesus- twelve disciples - was I
One of them? - that is in dispute.
And I do look more gal than guy
In Da Vinci's "Last Supper" shoot.

Loads of arguments sacrificed -
What was my connection to Christ?

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Pseudo Seal - LP Zoo

I am Siku, polar bear, who
Can only dream of catching seal
In water at Lincoln Park Zoo,
The polar bear's favorite meal
Up north in the arctic wild way,
But here in my habitat, I
Have a "seal" ball with which to play,
With grabs and jumps to satisfy
Instinctive yearning that I feel.
Like in the wild, I do jump in,
And with the ball do seal the deal.
The ball does lose and I do win.

I smell seals in the Zoo do be.
I guess these seals are safe from me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Feather My Zest

I am a walrus with a wish
To make a playdate with a bird.
A bird be more fun than a fish,
Playing with sharks would be absurd.
But birds do be a landing near,
Upon the water sit afloat,
And since me and the birds are here,
This here walrus, these birds should note.
So I introduce myself by
Showing off to my feathered friends.
The birds fly off into the sky,
But they'll be back - fun has no ends.

Why do we walrus want to play?
Who knows - tiz just the walrus way.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Merry Meerkats - LP Zoo

We are the merry meerkat mob,
With holiday doings to do.
The keepers keep us joyed a gob,
Giving gifts at Lincoln Park Zoo.
This year a house all done up nice
In spirit of tiz the season.
We checked the listing - checked it twice.
We been good - must be the reason.
In and out of the house we go,
There's plenty of room, by golly,
And lots of munchies - doncha know!
Eating always keeps us jolly.

So if you're here and walking by,
We will give you a ho ho hi.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Holiday Lick - LP Zoo

I find my package, yes I do,
With "Happy Holidays" on it,
From keepers at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Of course for me tiz a big hit.
The white package is sitting by
The window where humans can see.
The gift be disappearing - why? -
Getting a lot of licks from me.
Some humans wonder what's this gift?
Tiz a tasty gift, by golly.
Gives a holiday spirit lift,
Makes this polar bear quite jolly.

I guess it's not the humans' fault,
Not knowing of the gift of salt.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Red Panda Greetings - LP Zoo

Tiz the season, so what to do
For a family outing fine?
How about the Lincoln Park Zoo,
Much more than just a place to dine.
Tiz a time and place to have fun
In a quite diverse neighborhood.
And lots of shared doings be done -
The kind of sharing that is good.
Just across from Park Place Cafe
Is where this family is at,
Enjoying all on this fine day.
Welcome to our habitat.

We, the red panda family
Wish all best season's greetings be.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Spy Seal

President Truman did okay
The seal to do the deal to spy
Around the world - the C.I.A.
Except U.S. - that's F.B.I.
The seal shows and eagle and shield,
And on the shield, a compass rose
With sixteen points supposed to yield
The secrets of the U.S. foes.
A fancy word - intelligence
Tattled back to a central spot,
Sorted by assorted agents,
Maybe the truth and maybe not.

Central Intelligence Agency,
The C.I.A. - spying legally.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Debbie and Carrie

The mother showed the daughter how
A movie star could come to be.
Through decades each did take her bow
In famed show biz celebrity.
The mother, Debbie Reynolds, and
The daughter, Carrie Fisher, were
The Queen and Princess of the land
Of film where magic does occur.
At Christmas time, twenty sixteen,
So suddenly Carrie did die -
The Princess taken from the Queen.
But a few hours then went by.

She could not bear being apart,
Debbie died from a broken heart.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Klingon Newt

The humans just discovered me,
Took them a while, don't know how long.
A new newt humans say I be,
Living in the river Mekong.
Creamsicle orange, my tail and toes,
And a body of ochre brown.
A ridge of bone starts from my nose,
Over my skull and my back down.
Of course humans needed a name
For me so to identify.
And so Klingon newt I became,
Look like some dude, Worf, I guess why.

Celebrity phenomenon,
I just hope that I can cling on.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

"Twin"sation

December 31st, he came,
Then January 1st, came she.
They each had been given a name,
Because 'twas known that they would be.
And soon the world knew they were here.
Media spread the good news new,
End of old and start of new year.
Celebrities became the two.
Being born is a joyed event,
But rarely news around the world.
But this time was quite evident,
Not ordinary be unfurled.

Why the rarity off the chart?
Twins being born one year apart.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Bearcat

I'm called a wild bearcat, I be,
But neither a cat or a bear.
A binturong civit is me.
Humans name weird but I don't care.
Scent glands located on my rear
Emit a strong popcorn like smell,
Telling the world that I am here.
Just sniff the air and you can tell.
I'm brought from Cincinnati Zoo
To Cincinnati Bearcat games.
And cheer my team on, yes I do,
As all about smell in my aims.

When Cincinnati Bearcats play,
Smell of popcorn is in my spray.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Gift of the Wise Cat

I share with the human the house.
The human gets excited when
I bring to the human a mouse,
Generous ev'ry now and then.
This cat does have a giving heart,
And humoring the human is
Just practicing my feline art,
A "cat"alogue of "purr"fect biz.
The human has a bunch to share,
Of toys and food and warm lap stuff.
And so I try to show I care.
Meowism is not enough.

And so for Xmas I did bring
A mouse for the human's stocking.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Rest Up - LP Zoo

This four year old has much to do
During the day with family,
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.
This girl is just full of busy.
Climbing high, bending low to peek
At any and all that I meet.
Ever ready to hide and seek.
Of course taking time out to eat.
Today has been full of awhirl,
With all the old and new at play.
And so for this gorilla girl
Tomorrow is another day.

And now I lay me down to sleep,
Cuz I have promises to keep.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Winter Solstice

The solstice in the winter time,
Latin for the sun standing still,
Makes the day when the sun does climb
In its lowest arc that it will.
Thus, shortest period of daylight
Which also means another fact -
Tiz the longest annual night.
Every year comes this impact.
Insofar as the reason why -
The axial tilt of the Earth,
As it does go rotating by
The sun is cause - for what it's worth.

Humankind throughout history -
Some take solstice time to party.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Pat Down - LP Zoo

Playing pat a cake, yes I do,
With the keeper every day,
Right here at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
The keeper's short, but still can play.
I stand up on my back paws and
I put my front paws way up high.
On tip toes the keeper does stand.
The keeper stretches a good try.
But by far I'm the taller one,
Looking down on the keeper's head.
Polar bear check up getting done,
And fish treats I am getting fed.

Between us there is a strong fence.
I guess that that just makes good sense.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Plunge Delayed - LP Zoo

The Lincoln Park Zoo did build me
A beautiful habitat with
A hot tub for this snow monkey.
So far, jump in has been a myth.
The humans heard that in Japan
Some snow monkeys do like to soak,
But so far here I have no plan
To take the plunge - could be a joke!
I do not mind coming close by.
The warm vapors do soothe my skin.
But when it is freezing cold, why
Would I contemplate jumping in?

Leaving the tub in weather foul,
I should have a robe and a towel.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Beddy Bye - LP Zoo

And now I lay me down to sleep,
Upon my bed made of wool wood,
A great big pile all in a heap.
For me nap time is oh so good.
I know the visitors come by,
Peeking at me through my window,
Maybe disappointed that I
Am not doing my awesome show.
But I have my priorities.
I like to snooze a lot, I do.
I am the one I choose to please,
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo

This polar bear, beddy bye be.
So Goldilocks best not bug me.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Santa Send Off

Terminally ill, the young boy
Knew this Christmas would be his last,
Only worry, not any joy.
Would heaven let him in, once passed?
Called in - a Santa volunteer
To help the five year old to cope.
Named the number one elf did cheer
The boy to believe there was hope
That knowing this, heaven would let
Right in Santa's elf number one.
The young boy smiled, Santa did get
A hug for what Santa had done.

In Santa's arms, the young boy died,
Ticket to heaven satisfied.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

U.S. Propaganda

The U.S. government has got
Loads of propaganda to spread,
And dishes out the dirt a lot,
Trying to stay one trick ahead,
Scolding leaks that are negative,
Blaming any convenient foe,
Then doing target leaks to give
The "truth" the public needs to know.
Using the freedom of the press
To print and air whatever views
Will tell lies more and the truth less.
Dirty Uncle Sam is old news.

Propaganda's new time and place -
Spreading around the cyberspace.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Snow Wonder - LP Zoo

The snow is calling, "Kapuki."
I hear the call, oh yes I do.
Snow is calling, "Come play with me."
Winter in the Lincoln Park Zoo.
And so into the white I go,
And do a dance in the wet stuff.
Just doing my thing in the snow,
This big girl cannot get enough.
The world is watching - I don't care.
With the snow, I will have my way.
Moments of frolic I do share
With all who wish to watch me play.

A rhino roll in snow I take.
A horny snow angel I make.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Beetle Movement

You do call us Stygoporus
Oregonensis - a long name
For a small beetle - first found us
In Oregon, when out we came
Into a bathtub from below,
In an aquifer underground.
Why we showed up there - we don't know.
Puzzled humans, when we were found.
Next time the humans found us, we
Were in a Texas aquifer.
Puzzled humans, who seem to be
Easily puzzled, that's for sure.

Moved to Texas from Oregon.
Taxes were less, so we moved on.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Grateful Momma - LP Zoo

This Momma sloth is happy to
Know my baby is doing well,
Thanks to all at Lincoln Park Zoo,
Helping us through his sickly spell.
I knew he wasn't feeling right.
So very helpless I did feel.
Zoo folks took him away one night.
This Momma was so scared, for real.
But my baby came back next day,
Better- I don't know what was done.
My baby feeds in a good way.
A happy Momma with her son.

So come hang out with us twosome.
You humans are always welcome.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

John Glenn

The time was nineteen sixty two.
The place was orbit around Earth.
A first for a human to do.
The race for space was deemed well worth.
The Friendship capsule took him round
To see his planet down below,
Where rest of humankind was bound,
Never going where he would go.
But through him, all the world could see
The wonders of what was beyond,
Of dreams that humans could make be.
He showed us all a new day dawned.

Who he was and where he had been,
Earth says farewell - God speed John Glenn.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Howie Turns 15 - LP Zoo

A "Howdy" from a Howie guy,
Who now has just turned fifteen.
A handsome specimen I be,
All around my neighborhood scene.
Take the African Journey and
'Bout half way through you will find me,
Wet in water or dry on land.
Either way, I'm not hard to see.
And in that moment we'll connect,
A sharing 'twixt and 'tween just us.
What better gift could I expect -
This pygmy hippopotamus!

How do a birthday Howie do?
Happy - at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Isoroku Yamamoto

Isoroku Yamamoto,
The Japanese commander who
Attacked Pearl Harbor in a show
Of what the Japanese could do,
To bring the U.S. to its knees.
It was his goal to be the one
To succeed in hostilities,
And to march into Washington.
He was a gambler, so was said,
Convinced the Japs to risk it all.
His plane shot down and he was dead -
Did not live to see his bad call.

"Remember Pearl Harbor" became
Why the world forgot what's his name.