Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Typhoid Mary

Mary Mallon from Ireland came,
And in nineteen hundred or so
Began to cook her way to fame
As carrier of typhoid woe.
She'd cook and people became ill.
She'd move onto another job.
The truth came out as the truth will
Of her spreading typhoid a gob.
She was put into quarantine
Off and on and for life at last,
With great precautions for hygiene,
So no more typhoid would be passed.

Around New York 'twas real scary
Of connection with Typhoid Mary.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

World Rhino Day '18 - LP Zoo

World Rhino Day, twenty eighteen,
I do celebrate, yes I do,
Munching on salad 'twixt and 'tween
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.
This rhino grabs hay, grabs a bunch,
And gives a toast to this grand day,
And then proceeds this hay to munch,
My jaws a moving on display.
And then a bunch of leaves I choose,
Deeming this an order to go,
And 'round my habitat I cruise
With salad on my face to show.

I celebrate World Rhino Day,
And I do so in my own way.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

The Gray Man Ghost

South Carolina on the coast
Off Pawley's Island has been seen
Walking along, the Gray Man ghost
O'er the centuries 'twixt and 'tween
The now and then of severe storm,
Coming and going since about
The 1820's when this form
Has been seen walking, without doubt.
A dead young man a walking in
The storm to find his lost love true,
And seeming to search in vain when
A bad storm brings the quest anew.

Bad storms will ever come and go,
Ever the Gray Man ghost may show.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Forced Fix

I was going under the knife.
This bull could hear them talking so
I broke out and ran for my life,
No real thought of where I would go.
But later the humans found me
Just wandering along the road,
And I be taken back I be
Where that procedure did forebode.
And yes the dirty deed was done,
And yes I lost my bullhood, yes,
And I felt like an empty one,
Full of nothing but just b.s.

No more hot dates, I have no choice.
I complain - in a higher voice.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Paw Appointment

Injuries happen, yes they do.
I had twisted my right front paw
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.
It bothered me, the keepers saw.
So the keepers trained me to place
My paw in just the proper way
Onto a designated space
In order to take an x-ray.
No bones were broken, just a sprain,
And did not require special care.
The hi tech stuff did entertain
This quite curious polar bear.

I know all my training does be
For taking better care of me.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Georgi Markov

Assassinated cleverly,
Georgi Markov, a case indeed.
In 1968 he be
Murdered, yes in the first degreed.
As a defector dissident
Against the Soviets, he wrote.
In answer the KGB sent
An agent with weapon of note,
A poison ricin pellet shot
On the street into Markov's thigh,
Leaving just a small puncture spot,
But enough for Markov to die.

The poison not shot from a gun,
From an umbrella it was done.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Die Hard

I am a young male honeybee,
A drone, only a few weeks old.
Inborn instinct has taken me
To the sky where the Queen will hold
A "nuptial flight" and she will mate
With just a few of thousands who
Have flown to seek the sought for fate,
Being one of the chosen few.
I luckily fly near the Queen.
Her royal approval nod she gives,
And there is mating 'twixt and 'tween,
And on my genetic stuff lives.

I mated with the Queen and I
Fulfilled my destiny and die.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Keeper Support - LP Zoo

I do my part, oh yes I do,
For the so much to care for line
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,
This polar bear helps keepers shine.
I'm on my best behavior when
The cameras are on the roll.
I give my keepers a big grin,
Follow instructions on the whole.
My keepers do a real great job,
Caring for me day in, day out.
My keepers deserve praise a gob.
When I can help, I do, no doubt.

So much to care for - I agree.
I like when the so much is me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Close Up from Afar - LP Zoo

Taking pictures, the humans do,
A lot of this red panda, me,
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,
Tiz just the way that humans be.
Though high up in a tree I sit,
The picture takers down below,
The camera zooms quite a bit,
And very close I seem to show.
But I don't mind this human thing
Of getting close up in my face.
I guess some pleasure it must bring,
And 'twixt and 'tween there's lots of space.

The closest closeup even shows
Every whisker on my nose.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Sunbittern Bird - LP Zoo

As a sunbittern bird I do
Spread my wings  wide for you to see,
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.
My  feathers in a pattern be,
Displaying spots in colors bright,
Large spots of red, yellow and black,
Which seem to a predator's sight
To be big eyes a looking back,
Which give predators second thought
In the wild about whether it
Is worth the risk of getting caught
By bigger size - no benefit.

When you see me, think no such things.
Just do enjoy my awesome wings.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

In a Hurry to Play - LP Zoo

"Young Oliver, oh where are you?"
Both parents call out to their son,
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,
And Oliver is on the run.
"I want to go outside and play,"
Calls Oliver back in reply,
Not sure what Mom and Dad will say
To their quite determined young guy.
"Be sure to be back before lunch,"
Is what young Oliver hears back,
And off he goes for fun a bunch,
Oliver's adventure on track.

The young African penguin be
Outside on a waddle forth spree.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Burt Reynolds R.I.P.

Deliverance, the movie made
Burt Reynolds a true movie star.
Lewis Medlock, the role he played
Burt agreed did take him far
By opening up other roles,
Allowing Burt to then attain
One of the most sought after goals,
King of the box office to reign.
Deliverance delivered Burt
To a lot of fortune and fame,
And for decades he did exert
Top player in the movie game.

Burt Reynolds, rest in peace, thank you
For entertainment long and true.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Zalika and Kamali Turn 5 - LP Zoo

Zalika and Kamali do
Both share a five year old birthday
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.
Celebration is on display.
The keepers give enrichment that
The lioness sisters do find
Enticing through their habitat.
The sisters pounce upon combined.
Covered in big cat scent and taste,
The cardboard sculptures take a toll,
As the girls do rip them to waste,
As with them both girls rock and roll.

Both big cat girls do rip and roar,
Happy Birthday and many more.

Sense Sonnet -Chiller

Drop and Run

A new born giraffe in the wild
Falls to the ground from Momma's womb,
And then unlike a human child
Is able and ready to zoom,
Especially if there's a threat
By some predator that's nearby.
The new born giraffe must be set
To let its running skills apply.
Even so there does only be
A 50/50 chance to live,
Immediate ability
To run - a better chance does give.

There's a threat that can't be outrun,
The human threat is that main one.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

A Fine Finely Arrival - LP Zoo

Spring of '18 Finely came to
Join with Etana giraffe at
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,
New young giraffe, new habitat.
Young Finely quickly seemed at home,
And charmed Etana right away.
Older "sis" and younger "bro' roam,
Dynamic duo on display.
The keepers keep both well cared for,
Providing loving care both need,
Quite a tall order all the more,
So much to care for, yes indeed!

Happy Finely - one ways and means,
Give him a bucket of green beans.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

The Bruno Party - LP Zoo

A cinereous vulture I be.
I be called Bruno, yes I do.
You are welcome to visit me
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.
We are scavengers in the wild,
With massive beaks well suited for
Stripping carcasses we find piled
Seen with sharp eyesight as we soar.
Here the keepers keep me well fed
With unfrozen meat on the bone,
All laid out in quite a fine spread
In my bird of prey no prey zone.

My days of scavenging are gone,
But life is good - I carry on.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Howie Wowee

I, Howie, the hippo, I do
Love to show off for human kind
Here at home in Lincoln Zoo.
'Specially young humans I find
Standing in front of the glass wall.
I dive into the water and,
Not being hesitant at all,
Swim to where the youngsters do stand.
A blowing bubbles from my nose,
With the youngster close face to face,
I watch as the youngster's face glows.
It is an awesome time and place.

The young humans always do be
A super audience for me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

A Number in Slumber - LP Zoo

A naked mole rat I do be
Taking a rest from digging chore,
As like most of my colony,
I just keep digging more and more.
With my long teeth I dig the dirt,
And take care not to swallow it.
My mouth sensors are on alert,
Giving a heads up when to spit.
Of course the digging wears me out,
And so I lay me down to sleep,
With all my co-workers about,
Huddled together, warm we keep.

Come and visit me, yes please do
At my digs in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Betty Miller, Pilot

Betty Miller, a pilot, she
Was the first female who did go,
In May of 1963,
Across the Pacific solo,
From Oakland, California to
Brisbane, Australia she did fly,
A twin engine Piper, brand new.
She made this historic flight, why?
She was delivering the plane
To a buyer, and thus became
An aviatrix in the main,
A fine flying female of fame.

All dressed up in the plane, no doubt,
Wearing high heels when she got out.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

John McCain

Farewell Senator John McCain.
You served the nation long and well,
A hero who endured the pain
From many years in Hanoi hell.
An admiral's son, the enemy,
To propagandize, wanted to
Put you ahead and set you free,
Something that you refused to do.
So you were tortured for years more
By those who considered you foe,
Vietnam prisoner of war,
Until at last you were let go.

Decades later, then came the day
Foe became friend - you led the way.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Ice Play - LP Zoo

African painted dogs, the pair
Do enjoy an ice treat, they do.
It is a hot summer day there
At home in the Lincoln Park Zoo.
She and he do make it a game,
Running back and forth, to and fro,
The hanging treat being the aim
To where the twosome aim to go.
Barking and biting at the ice,
Both painted dogs enjoy the fun,
The cooling taste is oh so nice,
And competition one on one.

For the two painted dogs, welcome
On a hot day the iced yum yum.

Sense Sonnet -Pumper

Make Myself Laugh - LP Zoo

Minding my bizness as I do,
I saw a group of humans near
My place at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
In black and white they did appear,
How strange they all would dress like that.
Were they trying to mimic me?
I watched them from my habitat.
How weird at times humans can be.
Perhaps they were some convicts out
For a field trip still in striped suit,
Just a humorous thought, no doubt.
My sense of humor is astute.

I looked over the human crowd,
And this zebra did laugh out loud.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Motion Picture - LP Zoo

Go, the African penguins do,
All on the go to this and that,
At home in the Lincoln Park Zoo,
To and fro through their habitat.
On land a waddling there and here.
In water a swimming they go.
While a waddle slow they appear,
But they swim like a torpedo.
The penguins always on the move,
Not a stop moment in the day.
The colony is in the groove,
In awesome motion on display.

Penguin watchers stay to watch more,
Including the giraffe next door.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Tale to Tell - LP Zoo

This red panda does love to be,
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,
Sitting way high up in a tree,
Where I do watch my world, I do.
With most of my reddish brown fur,
I blend into the tree bark well.
But part of me sticks out for sure.
My bushy golden tail do tell
Of where I be a hanging out,
My tail arrayed in splendid flow,
Must be an awesome sight no doubt,
When it is seen from down below.

If you visit then I will save
Just for you a special tail wave.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Gone Fishing - LP Zoo

This bear does like to fish, I do,
Often a sitting in the stream,
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,
Catching a fish a daily dream.
Of course the keepers give me fish
As part of my diet to eat.
But that's unfrozen in a dish.
The catching should be the fun feat.
And so into the stream I go.
Perhaps today will be the day.
Watching the fishless waters flow,
There be no fish but still I stay.

Never a fish here have I caught,
Just instinct, bearlieve it or not.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Feet Check - L P Zoo

The African penguins do meet
With paying humans twice a day.
The penguins check out human feet,
While these humans are on display.
This occurs at Lincoln Park Zoo,
Where human feet are studied by
The penguins close each shoe by shoe.
Some of the humans do ask why.
Of course the penguins don't expound
Why they are curious about
The human feet, but they do sound
'Twixt and 'tween each other, no doubt.

Human feet are enjoyed because
The penguins bray lots of hee haws.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Itch to Scratch - L P Zoo

This dairy cow oft gets an itch
At the Farm in Lincoln Park Zoo.
There's an automatic brush which
Does give me some scratching, it do.
I just brush up against the brush,
And on it goes, brushing away
Many my itches in a rush,
A manmade marvel, I must say.
But still for itches I can reach,
I use my tongue to target on,
And scratch real good a bad itch each,
Until I scratch that itch all gone.

Be brush, be tongue, be that, be this,
Scratching my way to bovine bliss.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Polar Cool - L P Zoo

A hot summer day, what to do
For this polar bear to keep cool,
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.
I'm gonna go into the pool.
I watch the humans watching me
Through the glass window on one side.
In a peek-a-boo mood I be.
I eye humans and back I'm eyed.
The humans do look hot out there.
I don't invite them to jump in,
Much too crowded for me to bear.
I just give them a friendly grin.

Ah - the water does feel so fine,
Cooling off all of me and mine.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Mindless

Jellyfish have survived through all,
600 million years or more,
Mostly water within a ball,
Containing mysteries galore.
When a jellyfish bumps into
Any organic matter, then
A jellyfish does sting, it do,
And can be fatal if stung when.
But each other they do not sting,
When one on one bump does occur,
Due to some sort of sensing thing.
Jellyfish have much sense for sure.

Jellyfish thrive - that fact is plain,
And they do so without a brain.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Distaste Spread Thin

Millennials hate mayonaisse,
Call it the devil's condiment,
Satan's slime - is this just a phase,
One more excuse for young to vent?.
A boring white food the young sneer,
Against the boring and the white.
Mayo jiggles and does appear
As pus oozed from a popped zit sight.
The old do like mayo and so
Of course the young must do like not.
Caught 'twixt and 'tween is poor mayo,
Now a negative food for thought.

Will mayo once again catch hold
When millennials do grow old?