Sense Sonnet - Pumper

World Snake Day 2020 - LP Zoo

On World Snake Day the snakes bid you,

All humans, have a learning day.

These snakes be from Lincoln Park Zoo

As ambassadors on display.

The smooth green snake, the rock python,

The Madagascar tree boa,

The Kenyan sand boa - all on

A public mission to show a 

Up close safe connection so that

Humans can better understand

Snakes' purpose in their habitat

Whether in water or on land.

Each and every snake can be

A teacher for humanity.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Cutey Alert - LP Zoo

A furry ball of cute, I do

See a keeper who's watching me

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

So this dwarf mongoose posingly

Sits still and takes a brief time out

To give the keeper my best cute,

For a keeper keepsake no doubt,

In a Facebook posting pursuit.

Social media does provide,

In time of social distancing,

The chance to see my super side,

As I provide my cuteness thing.

The attention that I do draw

Is filled with lots of "ooh" and "aah."

Sense Sonnet - Acher

R.I.P. Maku - LP Zoo

Goodbye to rhino great, Maku.

You were a favorite to see

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

You leave a lasting legacy,

A long life, thirty four years old,

Over the years with six offspring,

Three thousand pounder to behold,

Loads of attention you did bring.

In ev'ry season of the year

Out in your yard you could be seen,

Noting crowds with a flip of ear,

Romping and resting 'twixt and 'tween.

You connected with humans with ease.

Thank you Maku for good memories.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Back End Clues - LP Zoo

I am playing a game with you.

Just the back of me you can see

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

What do you think that I do be?

Some clues are I have feathers that

Show patched colors of red and pink.

I'm in a muddy habitat,

Some sort of bird - what do you think?

And I am still a juvenile.

I will become more pink and red

As I grow older in a while,

From tip of tail to top of head.

I knew you'd make the correct guess,

A Chilean flamingo - yes!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Lunch for Linda - LP Zoo

Cinereous vulture, Linda, is

Looking for something good to eat,

And spies a pile of ice, gee whiz!

Wherein there is lots of chilled meat.

On a hot day this is so nice,

And Linda knows just what to do,

Picking the meat out of the ice,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Using her beak quite daintily,

She picks up, with lady like grace,

Each piece of meat, and thereby she

Senses refreshment on her face.

This cool treat has made Linda's day,

Partaking of cold cuts - hooray!

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Peck It Out - LP Zoo

Tiz a corn on the cob to do,

And the chickens do peck away,

At Lincoln Park Farm in the Zoo.

And recording the snack display -

A camera set chicken high,

Catching all the activity,

And catching Beast, the rooster's eye,

Wondering if perhaps it be

Something like the corn he can eat.

So he comes close to check it out.

Is it or is it not a treat?

Some pecking is called for no doubt.

Beast gives the camera a peck.

Nothing to eat here - what the heck!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Make Sense of It - LP Zoo

What the colobus monkeys do 

When there shows up a pile of ice,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Is put there senses on precise.

First they eye the ice for a while,

And hear the ice crackle a bit,

And then they sniff at the ice pile,

And feel the chilliness of it,

And then of course they take a taste.

All in all, there is no doubt that

None of their senses go to waste

On the ice in their habitat.

Why there's an ice pile in July,

Thanks to the keepers - that is why.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

This Little Piggy...- LP Zoo

This little piggy keeps an eye,

At Lincoln Park Farm in the Zoo,

On the keeper who is nearby.

Wonder what the keeper's up to!

This piggy with nine others came

Into the world a week ago.

So far life's like a puzzle game.

There is so much to get to know.

But this little piggy knows that

The keeper gives a lot of care

For them all in the habitat.

This piggy's glad the keeper's there.

This piggy's snuggled in the hay,

Pondering if to snooze or play.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Off Track

River Crossroad, a racing horse,

Was racing in his second race.

As he did move around the course,

He quickly began to outpace

All the other competition,

And did hold a seven length lead.

A sure winner, he was the one,

Heading toward victory indeed.

Then suddenly he left the track,

Much to the colt's jockey's surprise,

Sitting helpless on the colt's back,

Bidding farewell to the win prize.

River Crossroad decided, "Darn,"

"Time for me to head for the barn!"

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Crown Shyness

Crown shyness is a tree term that

Refers to social distancing.

Growing close in a habitat,

Trees avoid the top touching thing.

So when the tops of trees do touch,

The trees use wind to force away

Other tree tops, not caring much

For any such closeness to stay.

Why are the trees' behaviors so?

Perhaps to avoid catching bad.

Researchers as of yet don't know.

It must be more than just tree mad.

Each tree wants its own time and place,

Keeping its own personal space.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Fast Track

A snail crawled on a turtle's shell.

Of that fact it was unaware,

And as far as the snail could tell,

It was on a rock that was there.

But then the turtle did begin

To move slowly along the ground.

The snail was somewhat nervous then,

Seeing the motion all around.

But as the snail tripped out it got

More excited about the ride,

And truly liked the thrill a lot,

Watching the world go by, wide eyed.

By now the snail was quite aghast,

Never before moving so fast.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Porcupine How To

The female porcupine does choose

The male with whom she wants to mate.

And then the chosen male pursues

A ritual to copulate.

He sprays her with urine so that

Estrus is then induced in her.

She's ready for the prime format,

And needs to protect him for sure.

Over her back she curves her tail.

Her tail's underside is quill free.

On that surface does rest the male.

The deed is done 'tween he and she.

If this how to is carefully done,

Then a porcupine daughter or son.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Kapuki Turns Fifteen - LP Zoo

Kapuki turns fifteen today

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo

This rhino Mom in her own way

Has a celebration to do.

She spends the day with Romeo,

Her one year old son, who gives her

The gift of love that makes her know

Her life is purposeful for sure.

It's a sunny day in July.

Mom and son enjoy the outside,

Watching the visitors go by.

Kapuki's filled with warmth and pride.

We hope that Kapuki will succeed

Having a Happy Birthday indeed.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Switch - a - rue

The old man could not hear too well,

So the doc was checking him out.

In the left ear the doc could tell

Something was stuck in there about.

So the doc took some forceps and

Pulled something from the old man's ear.

Holding the object in his hand,

Closely at it the doc did peer.

Finally the doc said, "Gee whiz!"

"How or why this got in your head,"

"Strange as it seems, I think it is"

"A suppository," doc said.

"Well that explains it," said the old gent,

"Now I know where my hearing aid went!"

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

"Spec"tacular - LP Zoo

A spectacled caiman I be.

I am a reptile that is in

The crocodilus family.

Crocs and gators are cousin kin.

From mid Brazil to Mexico

Is where most of us do be at.

In swamp waters we do go,

Liking that kind of habitat.

A bony ridge between my eyes

Looks like spectacles humans wear,

And so it comes as no surprise

It's part of my name - I don't care.

I have sharp eyes to keep on you,

And have sharp teeth ready to chew.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Red Footed Tortoise - LP Zoo

We red footed tortoises do

Like to lounge about in the sand

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

We find the rest spells to be grand.

When we do get the urge to move,

We do so quite slowly no doubt,

Putting each red foot in the groove

Carefully, not to wear us out.

When one of us decides to go,

The rest of us follow so that

We don't miss something, doncha know,

Happening in the habitat.

This slow pace of life is good for

Long living thirty years or more.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

A Daughter's Quest

A teenager, Sonora Smart,

And her five younger brothers were

Raised by a Dad with a big heart.

She chose to honor him for sure.

In 1909 she began

To campaign for a Father's Day,

And over a sixty year span,

Finally she did have her way,

And in 1972

Father's Day became U.S. law.

In June of each year all Dads do

Be honored for being a Pa.

A special daughter Dad Smart had

Who spent a lifetime for her Dad.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Kicks - LP Zoo

Zebra, Adia's soon to be

A Mom again, and so she is

Going about quite patiently,

Minding her own and baby's biz.

Her baby now lets Mom know that

It is getting ready to go 

To a more roomy habitat,

And gets its kicks in Mom to show

That a delivery's soon due,

And is a package that is prime

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

But Mom will know the proper time.

The baby is kicking about.

Mom is aware of it no doubt.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Cute Duty - LP Zoo

This spoonbill chick, a few weeks old,

Is getting used to humans that

Come by - the chick's getting more bold

In checking out the habitat.

And the chick is getting used to

All the pictures that humans take,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Of the chick for a cute keepsake.

So when a human comes nearby,

The spoonbill chick by this time knows

To be a sport and truly try

To get into the cutest pose.

When the picture taking is done,

The chick goes back to having fun.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Seal Sense of Pride - LP Zoo

A seal sees something that is new,

And makes his way out of the pool

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

A giant snow pile - awesome cool!

And there are colors in the snow

Arranged in a pattern to be

Full of gay pride like a rainbow,

Such a sight for the seal to see.

And he flippers closer so that

He's better able to check out

This marvel in his habitat,

Quite a seal sensation no doubt.

When it's hot a cold treat is nice

As the seal whiskers through the ice.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

State Debate

The choice of Washington, D.C.

To be the U.S. Capital

Was done constitutionally,

With politics to make the call.

A federal city, residents

Do not enjoy the voting rights

Of other citizens, and hence

Over the years Washingtonites

Have wanted to become a state.

Is this a good idea or not?

More politicians be ill fate,

Raising the hot air spewed a lot.

Non politicians should know that

D.C.'s a nasty habitat.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Susie and Ely Move In - LP Zoo

Susie and Ely are now here,

New home at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Coming soon there'll be a premier

Of both of these chimpanzees new,

For the time being they both be

Behind the public scenes so that

Together, both comfortably,

Acclimate to the habitat.

And in steps over time they will

Be introduced to others in

The chimp troop that's remaining still,

And a new era will begin.

Welcome to Susie and Ely.

When you're settled, we'll wave "Hi."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

"They're Back" - LP Zoo

Here comes young rhino, Romeo,

To check out if it's really true -

Visitors beginning to show

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

For months no visitors were here,

The Covid virus had caused that.

But now the people reappear

Outside Romeo's habitat.

There still is social distancing,

And face masks visitors must wear.

But reZooing is a good thing,

And Romeo has lots to share.

Come visit Romeo and see

A rhino cute as he can be.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Big Time - LP Zoo

The young Diana monkey sees

A great big world with wide small eyes.

All are new curiosities, 

All full of wonder and surprise.

Just weeks old this youngster does be

Newly sensing all that's around,

While staying close to known safety,

Keeping snuggled in fur, Mom bound.

It is this awake way that

There's time and place to sense what's new

Happening in the habitat

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

New learning for this little one,

Especially learn what is fun.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Dad's Day for Myles - LP Zoo

What did Dad get for Father's Day?

DeBrazza's monkey, Myles, got new

A large mirror hanging on display

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

His sons, Tiko and Bomani,

Wanted to check the new mirror out,

Each having curiosity

To see themselves look back no doubt.

So Dad being a sharing Dad

Let both his sons have a turn at

Mirror one on one, and there was had

Harmony in the habitat.

Was it a good day for Dad, Myles?

It's hard to tell - he seldom smiles.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

World Giraffe Day '20 - LP Zoo

Twenty twenty - World Giraffe Day,

June 21st - a time to do

Celebration in a tall way

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Rae, Finely and Etana be

Zoo ambassadors to connect

With all giraffes beyond these three,

To have a good lasting effect,

To make conservation well worth

Each and every day to try

Efforts for giraffes 'round the Earth,

To keep this priority high.

It is a time for one and all

To help giraffes - to heed the call.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Juneteenth

June 19th, 1865,

Happened in Galveston that day,

Emancipation came alive

When General Granger came that way,

And announced what Lincoln proclaimed

Over two years previously.

Texas slaves did learn late timeframed

That by U.S. law they were free.

Since then each year upon that date

Freedom celebrations occur

To some degree in ev'ry state.

It's good to have freedom for sure.

Now known as Juneteenth, we also know

Real freedom has a long way to go.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Belly Up - LP Zoo

As a fire bellied toad I do

Stand up and stick my belly out

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

If there are predators about,

My brightly colored belly is

A warning that I am as prey

A very nasty tasting biz,

And predators should stay away.

But through the glass I can see that

It is a keeper standing there,

So I'm safe in my habitat.

I'm belly proud and so I share.

Another toad there does seem to be,

But it is a reflection of me!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Katai on Watch - LP Zoo

American black bear, Katai,

Is watching all the people that

Walk up and down the street nearby, 

Adjacent to his habitat

Located in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Through the Covid phenomenon

Keepers keep up the care to do.

The closed Zoo works and life goes on.

The Zoo will reopen some day.

Visitors will return once more,

And humans will be on display

Again for Katai as before.

Until then Katai can look out

To the street and watch folks about.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Luke and Annabelle Beak Up - LP Zoo

Spoonbills, Luke and Annabelle, do

Together care for their new chick

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

For their first hatched they've caught on quick.

Both parents know instinctively

What their new chick does need to eat.

Both do secrete crop milk to be

Regurgitated so to meet

The chick's nutrition needs so that

The chick can be able to grow

Healthy in its new habitat.

Both parents help to make this so.

Congrats to Luke and Annabelle.

Chick and parents are doing well.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Bee Quicker Flowering

Researchers found that bumblebees

Buzzing about in early Spring,

When flowers aren't in large degrees,

Perform a very unique thing.

Upon a plant the bee does land

And bites incisions in the leaves.

Somehow the plant does understand,

And flowering the plant achieves,

Quicker than it normally would,

Somehow knowing the bee will be

Back for pollen and that is good

For plant and bee mutually.

This secret would be opportune 

For a real agriculture boon.