Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Good Old Days

Way back in great granddaddy's day,

He'd hook the oxen to the cart,

And head from the farm on the way

To town where there he could take part

In the selling of his produce,

And in the buying of supplies.

A time and place he felt of use,

And share some tall tales with the guys.

It was not often that he made

The trip to town where he could be

Content with wares and tales to trade,

Good feel in macho company.

And great grandmomma, she would smile,

Some peace and quiet for a while.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Crocuses

Each Spring we crocuses resume

The sprouting forth from underground,

In white, orange, yellow, purple bloom,

Rebirth announcer we're renowned.

According to mythology

Crocus, unhappy mortal youth,

Gods turned into this plant to be

Happier, but who knows the truth!

But humans do seem happier

When after a long winter, they

See that we once again occur

In a new, refreshing display.

We bloom about a three week span,

So come and see us if you can.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 I'll Be Damned

Be damned be all the be good stuff

Shoved down my throat in Sunday school.

Bible thumpers, I had enough.

To hell with the trite Golden Rule.

Oh, I pretended that I be

A pious sort with giving soul.

I let no one really know me.

Taking from others was my goal.

And then one day I up and died.

The whole town came to pay respects.

Closed coffin, it was dark inside,

Hard to fathom that I was ex.

The devil came for me in search

As I was buried by the church.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Diving for Donuts

A box of donuts I did get

While I was at the bakery.

Not eating them was no sure bet.

The box got opened and by me,

As I walked through the parking lot.

All of a sudden from the sky

A visit from some crows I got.

They swooped close to the box as I

Dashed for my car and made it in.

The crows landed on the car hood.

I started up the car and then

The crows cawed and flew off for good.

The box of donuts was a lure,

Was a tempted murder for sure.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 I've Seen It Owl

One night this spotted owl did spot

A couple of owls on the ground.

Giants, but real owls they were not,

Concluded me, flying around.

Apparently some humans had

Built a couple of owl like things.

Mostly in flowers they were clad,

Green leafy stuff on head and wings.

Who knows what prompted this display.

It's hard to figure humans out.

But I was impressed anyway.

Those humans had worked hard no doubt.

Imitation is flattery,

So flattered I be owlfully.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Just in Case

The ten commandments carved in stone,

Down from the mount, Moses did bring,

And bid by God that all be shown

For following as a good thing.

Since that occurred long, long ago,

Most humans have to some degree

Broken some commandments, and so

How relevant these rules still be?

Well since no one does know for sure

What happens to us when we die,

It might behoove each him and her

To tend to heed the ten - here's why.

Following commandments could seal fates

Of yes or no at the Pearly Gates.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Paws to Print

My Hammy the hamster one day

Managed to open a paint set.

His paws painted an art display.

I called him my Picasso pet.

And so I let the little guy

Paint to his little heart's content.

The more he painted, the more I

Thought that this pastime was well spent.

Hammy loves to paint more and more.

May his little paws never cease,

Cuz now his paintings do sell for

Over ten thousand bucks apiece.

My little pet Picasso be

The source of huge income for me.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 War of Roses

A war o'er the garden arose

'Twixt and 'tween roses, red and white.

Back and forth be sharpened thorn throws.

The bouquets clashed in test of might.

Exactly why the war did start

None of the flowers seemed to know,

As rose was ripping rose apart,

With petals flying to and fro.

Most likely some sort of dispute

On which color had more power.

An all out war had taken root,

Stemming from egos aflower.

So much innocent blood be shed

From warring roses, white and red.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Spring Thing

April 7th, the delayed day

Of the Cubs opener at last.

The Milwaukee Brewers they play.

I predict the weather forecast

To be what's a Chicago norm

For first game in many past years,

A cold and wet heavy snowstorm,

With lots of white covered fans' cheers.

That the national pastime is

Starting after money spats all,

Sadly due to the T.V. biz,

So even with snow, let's play ball!

How will the Cubbies play in snow?

Come April 8th, I guess I'll know.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 On the Run

I am a puppy on the run,

My human best bud behind me,

Watching me have a lot of fun,

And that's the way it's meant to be.

Today we're at a place where is

A huge lawn growing grass a bunch,

Just perfect for my running biz,

Stops here and there to sniff and munch.

Always something new to explore,

I rarely put my paws on pause.

My aim is to run more and more.

Why run so much? Well just because!

Most of the time I run ahead,

But follow when time to be fed.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Stuck

I have the whole house to myself,

Family has left for the day.

I grab a bottle from the shelf.

A vitamin pill makes its way

From hand to mouth, nothing to drink,

Swallows easy usually.

But not this time, oh, oh, I think.

The pill stuck in my throat does be.

And then my throat just tightens up.

I find I can't breathe anymore.

I try to grab a water cup,

But I  collapse onto the floor.

Later I will be found, I will,

Will cause of death be choked on pill?

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Memo to Putin

To Vladimir Putin, I say

Your dreams for Russia in your mind,

Your hopes for empire back some day,

By murdering of humankind

Will make you into just a man

Who history will hold in hate,

As all before with evil plan,

A name that's cursed will be your fate.

As with all tyrants of the past,

Your time and place will soon be gone.

However long your bad does last,

You'll die alone and good lives on.

Mr. Putin, your future be 

War criminal of history.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 The Endurance

In 1915 off the coast

Of Antarctica she brought her

Crew in high hopes that they could boast

Of a South Pole goal first for sure.

But ship Endurance could not be

Enduring through the time and place

Of fury from the Weddell Sea.

Abandon ship her crew did face.

They watched her disappear from sight,

Ten thousand feet down to descend

Into the darkness from the light.

Her sailing days came to an end.

In 2022 search bound.

Remains of the Endurance found.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Irish Locals

On Paddy's Day in Ireland, we,

My kids and I go to a pub.

It is a day for family,

To enjoy lots of fun and grub.

Not as religious as in past,

Not so rowdy, get drunk mindset,

Not many tourists in the cast.

We locals do prefer to get

Together in a pub to do

Lots of singing of Irish song

In the spirit of good times new,

Sanity all Paddy's Day long.

Adults may pick up a pint of

Guinness to toast the Saint above.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Turned Out

I'm a show biz Mama named Rose.

I raised my two daughters to star

In the grand dreams for them I chose.

But such ingrates both daughters are,

Not understanding what I yearn,

To climb the ladder Broadway bound.

I taught them how to grab their turn,

As I was stuck in the background.

But my girls turned their turns to waste.

Now it's my turn to sing the blues.

My girls scorned at the dreams I chased

For them - wrong choices I did choose.

Oh such great stardom there could be,

And turns out it shoulda been me!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Budding Mike - LP Zoo

My name is Mike and I do be

At Lincoln Park Farm in the Zoo.

I am a proud river birch tree,

Doing my spring time stuff, I do.

Chicago's winter has been hard,

But now my leaves do bud so that

I, rooted, in the chicken yard,

Will shade my buddies' habitat.

Already the chickens look up,

Excited that their bud's abud.

Being the only tree here, yup,

All leafed out I'm one handsome stud.

Oh yes, the hens and rooster like

To take a shade break under Mike.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Crested Wood Partridge - LP Zoo

A crested wood partridge partridge, I do

Spend most of my time on the ground

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

This bird does like to strut around,

Showing off my fancy plume that

Does protrude from top of my head,

And brightens up the habitat

In silky fine feathers of red.

Rollulus rouloul  is the name

That my kind got scientific,

Thanks to our red crown of fame.

What better name could humans pick!

A strutter on the ground I be.

There's no pear tree perching for me.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Dancing in My Bones

I am a corpse and have the chance

On each and ev'ry 12 a.m.

To rise in the graveyard and dance,

Meaning no mischief or mayhem.

When alive I did dance a lot.

I danced the tap, I danced ballet,

I danced the waltz and the fox trot.

I did the twist and hula sway.

All these and more I danced alive.

And being dead does not mean that

I cannot still jiggle and jive,

Dirty dancing where I'm now at.

Of course there's times while dancing, I

Do sure freak out some passerby.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Dreamt Away Sadness

A sad young girl did fall asleep,

And dreamt that she was on a lake

Of peaceful waters blue and deep.

A giant lily pad did make

A place for her to sit upon.

Brilliant colors did fill the sky,

Announcing break of a new dawn.

And to her flew a butterfly,

The prettiest and biggest she'd

Ever seen, and she grabbed its tail,

Taking a wondrous trip indeed.

All around the lake she did sail.

When she woke from the dream she had,

The young girl was no longer sad.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Incubummer

I was a shepherd of my flock,

And with the girls took liberties,

Easy to seduce with sweet talk.

I lived a life of sin and sleaze.

So when I died I went to hell

For punishment of bad I'd done.

It was the pits in which to dwell,

But then I was a chosen one

To lie on sleeping girls - a plus.

I thanked the devil and I went

Back to Earth as an incubus,

Again to seduce girls - hell sent.

I come to the girls as they sleep.

Sadly, all of them are old sheep.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Eastern Box Turtle - LP Zoo

An eastern box turtle, I do

Prefer land over water, yes,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Ambassador at this address.

In the eastern U.S. of A.

Is where my kind in wild be found,

Slow and steady making their way

Over mostly moist forest ground.

The "box" part of our name's about

The dome shaped hinged shell that we wear,

Colored as camouflage no doubt

So threats may not know that we're there.

So when you come to visit me,

If I'm seen, then you got lucky.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Let's Talk

An old fox and a young girl meet

In the woods on a snowy day.

The young girl did not feel a threat,

And listened while the fox did say,

"You are a brave young girl to be"

"Out in these woods and all alone."

"I live nearby," did reply she.

The fox then asked in polite tone,

"Will you agree to be my friend,"

"And call on me when you come by?"

"Some quality time we can spend."

"Sounds good," was the young girl's reply.

This pact the fox and girl did make

With an old paw and young hand shake.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 In the Mail

In 1849 there be

Sent  one Henry Brown, a black slave,

As a package delivery

As the ways and means that would save

One human who was then sent forth

From slavery to new freedom.

He was mailed from the South to North

In a wooden crate to become,

In just over a one day span,

From south Richmond to north Philly,

A little cramped but a free man,

Package mailed out of slavery.

 Many went by underground rail,

But Henry chose to go by mail.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Fruit Bats Hang Out - LP Zoo

Two fruit bats do hang out, they do,

Upside down, swinging in the air

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

In a chill out mode be the pair.

Their internal clocks do tell that

The keepers soon will bring their lunch,

Some fruit, into their habitat,

Upon which both of them will munch.

Until then the fruit bats just shoot

The breeze while hanging in the dark.

And when there comes the sense of fruit,

A launch off to lunch will embark.

Come to Small Mammal House to see

Fruit bats going topsy turvy.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Jamaican Iguana

In Jamaica there once did roam

The Jamaican iguana who

Did thrive and call the island home.

But threats from the outside did do

Damage and they were thought extinct.

It was in 1990 that

A few of them were found and linked

To their ancestral habitat.

Since that time they have increased some,

But recovery's hard and long.

Conservation work is welcome,

So this species can come back strong.

In Jamaica, help can restore

This native lizard more and more.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Window of Opportunity - LP Zoo

This lioness seeks better view

Of human visitors below

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

So I "paws" and scoop away snow

This window in my habitat

Allows me to look down and see

All the human goings on that

Is happening underneath me.

It is a close encounter, yup!

Just some strong glass is 'twixt and 'tween,

As I look down and folks look up.

When snow obscures then off I clean

I don't do windows as a rule,

But looking down on you is cool.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 The Blarney Stone

Irish call me "The Blarney Stone."

A block of limestone I do be

In Blarney Castle, and I'm known

For giving skill at flattery,

For those who climb a tower high,

And give to me a heartfelt kiss,

No matter whether gal or guy,

I am for all gender on this.

Now how began this kissing thing,

Which happened a long time ago,

Has many tales in the telling.

No tale's told by me, but I know.

Millions kiss me through centuries,

I'm immune to human disease.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Beaver plunge - LP Zoo

I am a beaver and I do

Some polar plunging of my own,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

In and around my lodge pond zone.

For all the human plungers that

Jump in the lake for a good cause,

I do dip in my habitat,

Taking some time out from my gnaws,

In a show of support for all

The wild and weird stuff humans dare,

When they do get the giving call

And show each other that they care.

Doing for good is good to be,

And humans are real good to me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Cognitive Skill - LP Zoo

At 1:30 p.m. each day,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

The gorilla troop gets to play,

Doing computer games, they do.

Computer screens are set behind

A wall of metal mesh so that

Gorillas with fingers and mind

Play within their own habitat,

Viewing objects sequence that be,

Then from a blank screen gorillas all,

Form the sequence from memory,

With high percentage of recall.

Even the young gorillas beat

The keepers if they dare compete.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Quill Still - LP Zoo

Flora, the porcupine, does do,

In her red light district, a pose

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Lady of the eve'ning she shows

During the day in red light that

Gives her incentive to chill out,

Yet be seen in her habitat,

Pleasing the visitor no doubt.

During the night in active groove

Her quill covered body's a blur,

As she is on a fast paced move

To get busy biz done for sure.

In daytime Flora likes to chill,

With less quivering of her quill.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 History Repeats

A mad man started World War II,

Invading countries on a whim.

To appease, the world did not do

Too much for too long to stop him.

In twenty twenty two the world

Again must deal with a mad man,

Who with his armies has unfurled

A conquer neighbor master plan.

China does watch this Russian's scheme

And ponders well whether or not

To pursue its own Taiwan dream.

The world will grumble, but so what?

Will the attack on Ukraine be

The beginning of World War III?

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Swimming Lesson - LP Zoo

Fisher's a month old grey seal who

Is taking swim lessons so that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

He's primed for water habitat.

The keepers keep a watchful eye

On Fisher, who's behind the scenes,

To monitor the little guy,

Learning his water ways and means.

Grey seals like humans need to learn

How to swim, and for a grey seal

At a very young age, the yearn

To be in water has appeal.

It won't take long, Fisher will be 

In water doing swimmingly.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Leaf Look - LP Zoo

Solomon Island leaf frog, I

Do have a pointed look, I do,

In looking over the supply,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Of the many varied leaves that

I will look over and then choose

One leaf that's in my habitat,

The perfect leaf for me to use

To set my golden bod upon.

So the leaf should be yellowy,

For a blend in phenomenon,

Where I can sit and safely be.

The perfect leaf of here and now

Found under my protruding brow.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 The Baobab Tree

In Africa "The Tree of Life,"

The baobab tree is called that.

During seasons of arid strife,

It helps life in its habitat,

Providing water stored within,

Providing fruit the tree has grown.

Many of these huge trees have been

Alive for thousands of years, known

To generations of those who

Have come to depend on the tree

As a source counted on to do

The sharing what it has for free.

The baobab tree, symbol of

Enduring gift of nature's love.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 My Reincarnation

When reincarnated I should

Be an elephant in the wild.

In nature's way this would be good.

In the late '50's as a child

With a rifle I was quite skilled.

On a safari I took aim

And fired, an elephant was killed.

This caused me to feel a great shame.

The dead elephant looked at me,

Forgiving me for what I'd done.

And still a haunting memory,

I never again fired a gun.

As an elephant I should live

And die and hope that I forgive.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Young King - LP Zoo

Jabari, Lion King, does do

A regal pose upon rock throne

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Gazing o'er the realm, all his own.

Ah, the burdens of being king

At the young age of four years old.

But his rule is a prideful thing

For this king wearing coat of gold.

Each day Jabari does hold court,

Welcoming visiting crowds that,

From near and far of ev'ry sort,

Come to Jabari's habitat.

The many visitors seek to be

Granted audience with Jabari.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Prepped

It is a lovely night to sit

Outside and watch my world go by.

Around me the pond is moonlit.

A refreshing breeze blows as I

Just take my time and place to chill

Out for a few moments before

I launch into my zapping skill

For a nice twilight snack to score.

The lily pad's put to good use

For me to sit on in set way.

My tongue's all ready to let loose.

This frog is ready, come what may.

So here I sit upon the breeze

Awaiting that next bug to seize.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Beautiful

What's beautiful does always be

A measurement by sense of sight.

I make judgments on what I see.

To what degree is my delight

In an object that I behold?

A person, place or thing I view,

Message from eyes to brain be told.

I do a beauty scale, I do,

And make my judgment, yes or no,

Whether it's beautiful or not.

This assessment's made even though

My initial look's all I've got.

How I judge beauty in my mind

Would no doubt change if I were blind.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Say of P.J.

"A Cry From the Far Middle" by

P.J. O'Rourke pokes left and right,

Both with mad excesses as why

The U.S.A. is mired in plight.

Mr. O'Rourke expresses fret

Hysteria from both sides mix,

And only agree on more debt

In future be damned politics.

The old just feud, so will the young

Bring the nation some competence,

Some compromise, some civil tongue,

Some purpose shared in common sense?

Voice of wit and wisdom does cease.

P.J. O'Rourke, do rest in peace.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 World Polar Bear Day '22 - LP Zoo

Siku is looking forward to

'22 World Polar bear Day

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

If he spoke human he would say

Climate change is changing so that

The air gases are heating up,

Thawing the arctic habitat,

And the whole world is warmer, yup!

Polar bears may be first to go,

But humans won't be far behind.

Humans have really got to slow

Burning fuel of the fossil kind.

Will Polar Bear Days still go on

When all wild polar bears are gone!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Swinging Murray - LP Zoo

Murray, a white cheeked gibbon, who

Is a swinger who loves to swing

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Swinging lots is his daily thing,

Especially during times that

Human visitors are nearby

The window of his habitat,

Coming to watch this swinging guy.

One long arm holding on the rope,

His other long arm in a wave,

As back and forth Murray does scope.

So swingingly he does behave.

Come visit Murray, likely he

For you a swell swinger will be.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Big Catnap - LP Zoo

Jabari, Lion King, does do

A well earned big catnap indeed

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

It's no matter to him that he'd

Picked a resting location that

Let visitors get a close up

Peek at him in his habitat.

Jabari just wants a snooze, yup!

So off into dreamland he goes,

His whiskers twitching now and then.

He's all laid out in relaxed pose,

Some snore grunts from this lion's den.

Sooner or later he'll awake,

And rule his realm till next nap break.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 All Season Plunger - LP Zoo

It's February and time to

Take a big plunge, polar bear style,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

And Siku does so with a smile.

It is a cold Chicago day,

And Siku gets the itch to take

A dip into the chilly spray,

Knowing a big splash he will make,

Delighting the visitors that

Just happen to be watching him

Plunge into his pool habitat,

As often Siku does on whim.

Not maybe if but surely when

Siku will take his plunge again.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Snow Stomper - LP Zoo

Romeo, the rhino, does do

A romp around his yard so that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

He can make a bunch of snow flat.

Wherever he does stomp his feet,

There is the sound of lots of crunch

When his weight and the snow do meet.

Yes, the snow goes flat by the bunch.

And when Romeo does decide

Stomping the snow is not enough,

The snow does flatten far and wide

When he does roll in the white stuff.

Romeo, Romeo, where art thou?

He's on the move, a rhino plow.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Borrowed Conscience

I read Pinocchio when young,

And how Jiminy Cricket be

The wood boy's conscience with a tongue.

I wanted such conscience for me,

Someone who'd be witty and fun,

Offering me a helping hand,

Singing to me that I  was one,

"When You Wish Upon a Star" and

All my good wishes could come true,

If  with me my friend's conscience dwell.

Like Jiminy Cricket did do,

And Pinocchio turned out well.

When in good conscience I abide,

Jiminy Cricket's at my side.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Crown Down

I was just doing my routine

Of brushing my teeth to assure

Myself of good dental hygiene,

When suddenly there did occur

A sensation in my mouth that

A crown was moving loose around,

No longer in set habitat.

This brought from me a gasping sound,

As I inhaled a bunch of air,

And that darn crown did locomote

To the back of my mouth, and there

Began its journey down my throat.

My crown retrieval stratagem -

Search the contents of each b.m.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Cope for Hope

In the rubble of destruction

The children from the neighborhood

Come together to share some fun,

To play some baseball to feel good.

From experience children know

In time and place things do be bad.

But there is always hope and so

Hopeful attitude can be had.

The children choose to play a game

Of baseball in that time and place,

To grab onto that hope the aim

In the form of a ball to chase.

Whatever may come down today,

Children are always up to play.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Happy Birthday Me

Today's my birthday, I am five.

Last year my party was on Zoom.

But this year Mom says we'll be live,

A few of us in the same room.

Of course the masks we all will wear.

Mom made me one with fives on it.

Even Gram and Gramps will be there,

I hope with a new baseball mitt.

This Covid thing has hurt a lot.

I watch T.V. with Mom and Dad.

I really hope my fam'ly's not

Hurt by Covid and made so sad.

Maybe bad stuff, grown ups will fix

By this time next year when I'm six.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Games

Young compete in Olympic games,

While old do play games of their own,

Using the time and place for aims,

Outcomes of which are not yet known.

Winning the gold for young does be

The ultimate for that young life.

But for old, politically,

Winnings measured by stirring strife

In adversaries 'round the world.

Back and forth, accusings are cried,

And forth and back charges are hurled.

Nobody wins on any side.

Briefly young worth is given light,

Then back to same old, same old fight.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Playfully, Snowfully - LP Zoo

Young zebra Abra's on the go

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Kicking her heels up in the snow,

A kicking that she likes to do.

When through the snow she's on the run,

Her black and white stripes seem to blur,

Kicking through the chilly white fun

On her motion notion for sure.

For Abra it's time and place that

She makes the best of snowy ground,

Kicking about her habitat

To find the fun that can be found.

All decked out in a stripeful mix,

In the snow Abra gets her kicks.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Long Legged Greeter - LP Zoo

This Abdim's stork's a greeter who

To African Journey welcomes,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Visiting human manysomes.

At times I'm perched up in a tree,

Other times I'm on a fence post.

Come 'round the bend and there I be,

Doing duty as feathered host.

I be a big bird standing tall,

Couple of feet from beak to feet,

Making an impression on all

The journeyers that I do greet.

It is very likely that I

Will greet you when you journey by.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Hypatia

Mathematician of earned fame,

Lady Hypatia did inspire.

Teacher of thinking was her aim,

In the ancient Roman Empire.

A pagan Neoplatonist,

Mainly Christian men she did teach.

This caused some tension to exist,

And spread rumors of her did reach

The Christian populace that she

Was a mistress of Satan sent

To beguile Christianity.

Her final fate came during Lent.

Hypatia, First Lady of math,

Murdered by Christian mob in wrath.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Left

My son ran through some wet cement,

Freshly laid on our sidewalk.

Then on his merry way he went.

When he got home, we'd have a talk.

I knew he was in a rush to

Go with his friends to the ball game.

And no doubt did not mean to do

Something mean with his bad feet aim.

But he should pay more attention

To how and where his feet did tread.

Later, a call about my son,

Hit and run victim, he was dead.

Seeing his footprints ev'ry day,

I just could not, and moved away.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Bridal Jitters

I do feel an impending doom.

This bride to be about to take

A last single walk to the groom.

I watch my bridal bouquet shake.

I dreamed this wedding all my life.

I found my love beyond my hope.

But now my stomach churns in strife.

I feel a yearning to elope,

To wish the two of us away,

An escape, something to borrow,

And just not get married today.

Maybe tie the knot tomorrow? ...

Breath held, my face must be turned blue.

But then at last I gasp, "I do!"

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Shower

I take a shower ev'ry morn,

A few minutes under the spray,

Sometimes happy, sometimes forlorn.

It's the start to another day.

I always do the same routine.

First comes shampooing of my hair.

Then comes the body soap hygiene,

Lathering up all my skin bare.

And then my fingers are scrub bound

From my face and down to my toes,

Giving private parts a good round,

And then rinse off with nozzled hose.

Lastly it's time to dry off so

This naked bod is good to go.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Blue Faced Honeyeater - LP Zoo

A blue faced honeyeater who

In truth is a bug eating bird

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Honey eating might have occurred

Long ago in Australia far

When my kind to a campsite came

And was seen by a honey jar.

So some human gave us the name.

That human got the blue faced right,

With blue mask around the eyes,

Quite pronounced and easy to sight

When each of us reach adult size.

When the keeper brings bugs for lunch,

This is a blue face primed to munch.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Fire

"Some say the world will end in fire,"

A line written by Robert Frost.

The thought of such does tell most dire,

As die of nuke bombings are tossed.

Russia has gone on high alert

With nuclear arsenal threat.

Odds are worsening to avert

The destruction that may be set

In motion by powers that be,

Gambling the lives of countless caught

In game of chicken - World War III.

Push the buttons or push them not?

Unless Russia gets her desire,

She's mad enough to push for fire.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Dr. Dolittle

My favorite doctor does be

Dr. Dolittle who became

Beloved human fictionally,

A love for animals his aim.

At home, Puddlesby-on-the-Marsh,

He learned the secret of how to

Talk to animals, nothing harsh.

Then world traveling he did do.

Many animals he did reach,

Who trusted him to give them aid,

Because they understood his speech,

And of him they were not afraid.

Human understanding's a must

For gaining an animal's trust.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Kwan Turns 33 - LP Zoo

Big Daddy Kwan turns 33.

He's a thoughtful gorilla who

Takes good care of his family

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

All of his kids in kid way

Do help their Dad to celebrate

This reason to celebrate day.

Kwan is one ape who's feeling great.

Of course the keepers do provide

Goodies for party time and place.

Oft looking stern, Kwan does decide

Maybe put on his happy face.

A Happy Birthday to you Kwan.

Your 33rd year's going on.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Prayer for Ukrainians

Ukrainians, I pray that you,

Who live and die for freedom's worth,

Will keep up the courage to do

The good fight for your place on Earth.

From my safety far, far away,

I watch all of you sacrifice

So much in now for come what may.

I watch you pay such heavy price.

I wish that I could do much more

Than just give heartfelt words of praise.

You're caught up in a mad man's war,

Fighting so hard his evil ways.

Ukrainians, God help you be

Warriors with will to remain free.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Swinger

I once hopped on board a showboat,

Rode down the mighty Mississipp.

I partied hearty while afloat.

No round of free drinks did I skip.

In the showboat's main ball room hung

A huge and fancy chandelier.

I climbed up, grabbed it, and then swung,

Bottle in hand with Tarzan cheer.

That chandelier did take a toll,

Into the river it did fall,

Leaving behind a gaping hole.

But rescuers rescued us all.

I got tossed into jail still drunk,

Blamed for the fact that showboat sunk.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Super Slurp - LP Zoo

Just a snow cone simply won't do,

So chimpanzee, Nana, does get,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

A snow barrel, and she is all set

To slurp down all of the snow that,

Flavored with lots of goodies, be

Delivered to her habitat,

Treat for Nana especially,

By her keepers, who got the snow

Just by walking the so short bridge

From in to outside Chicago -

Loads of white stuff in the big fridge.

Nana appreciates for sure

All that the keepers do for her.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 When I Was A Fish ...

When I was a fish, I thought

Such great thoughts that did go beyond

Just how to avoid getting caught

By would be catchers at my pond.

I would think of how I was part

Of the whole of the universe.

For the moment I was the heart

Of time and place, better or worse.

I was the living power that

In the now played the leading role

On the stage of my habitat,

As long as I maintained control.

When I was a fish - a thinker,

Till came that hook, line and sinker.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Poseidon's Realm

Most of the planet  Earth does be

Covered by oceans that appear

A water world of mystery

To most of humans on land here.

But there are some who take the chance

To go beneath the oceans there,

Returning with tales to entrance.

Depending upon brought with air,

These explorers find treasures that

Cannot be found upon the land.

Briefly in water habitat,

Wondrous, new horizons be spanned.

From Poseidon's realm, on return,

Wanting more the explorers yearn.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Always Us

Oppressors and tormentors, we

Will always plague this planet Earth,

Flexing our powers that be

To take and keep all we deem worth.

And we are always able to

Count on the masses to comply

With whatever we choose to do.

It's just human nature is why.

Oh, there are those, some time, some place,

Who manage to cause us some fuss.

But most often the human race

Learns to live with the fact of us.

If you need proof of what we say,

Just look around the world today.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 "Back Off, Nosy" - LP Zoo

A nosy polar bear, Siku,

Sticks his nose in Talini's biz

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Talini's thinking, "Oh, gee whiz!"

"This guy is always in my face."

Whenever she's outside for sure.

Siku does want to share her space,

Wanting him to be what is her

Only matter upon her mind.

Sometimes boundaries she must set,

And Talini's not always kind,

Emphasizing Siku must get.

Siku has optimistic knack,

Telling Talini, "I'll be back."

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Entre"ma"neur

I opened up a paddle store

Right next to a smelly creek that

Stranded the floaters more and more

In the watery habitat.

Many went up this creek without

A paddle and found themselves stuck.

So my high priced paddles no doubt

Get sold for the upcoming muck,

When nasty tales float back down creek

Of how paddleless faced dire woe,

Finding themselves caught in such reek

On a not so merry round go.

I pitch my paddles with appeal

For the up the reek creek oar deal.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Eternally Promising

A politician died and went

To hell, meeting the devil there.

In welcome Satan did present

A very promising affair,

If the politician did choose

To vote out heaven and in hell.

The politician with enthuse

Picked the devil with whom to dwell.

After the politician chose

Hell, Satan quickly then applied

The heat as burning fires arose.

The politician screamed, "You lied!"

Satan smiled, "You know politics."

"We get your vote with dirty tricks."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Fisher - LP Zoo

Welcome Fisher, a grey seal who

Born to Mom Jersey and Charles Dad

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

A thirty pounder flipper lad.

Dr. Lester Fisher's namesake,

In memory of that great man

Who over decades helped to make

The Zoo top notch in mission span.

Also, coincidentally,

The grey seal's favorite main dish

Does of course happen to be

A whole variety of fish.

So very good news flipping up -

Coming of Fisher, grey seal pup.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Dancing Frogs

Six frogs dancing around a fire,

Under the glow of the full moon,

A time and place that does inspire

The frogs to play a lively tune.

And to the tune the frogs do hop.

In colorful costumes they prance

With excitement that will not stop.

Six frogs around a fire do dance.

You may ask what occasions this

Dancing by the six frogs around

A fire under full moon in bliss,

With excitement that does abound.

The only answer that I've got,

The frogs got the urge - so why not!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Fossil Feather

In 1861 there be

First fossil feather that was found

In Solnhofen south Germany,

Discovered buried underground.

Over from what animal grew

This feather very long ago?

Electron microscopes did do

Some close analysis to show -

Owner, an archaeopteryx.

This was a bird like dinosaur,

Ones of the first ones to affix

Feathers on it to help it soar.

Feathering enthusiasm,

The feather is at a museum.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Presumption

Why do birds of a feather flock

Together is a question that

Is only raised in human talk,

And many studies are done at

Answering that question why

Such same birds be sharing perch or

Be sharing air space in the sky.

And humans haves answers galore

Involving  instincts that there be

Of the birds that share same feather,

That it is common sense really

In many sticking together.

When the question's asked of a bird,

There is no comment, not one word!

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 His Heart Stopped Day

February 14th did be

The day St. Valentine did die.

For crimes, executed was he.

Where oh where do his remains lie?

In Ireland, Scotland, Rome and Spain

And other European sites,

Claim Valentine's remains remain,

Multiples claiming bragging rights.

Not deemed to be too saintlysome,

And due to Valentine's fogged past,

The Vatican has remained mum

On where its Saint may have been cast.

Wherever the Saint's remains is,

His name remains first for love biz.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Night Hawk

A night hawk is building a nest

Somewhere in the back of my brain,

And is causing me to lose rest.

A sign of me going insane?

I keep waking up thinking that

I'm seeking something I can't find,

Lost in my mental habitat.

This bird is pecking at my mind.

The hawk swoops in only at night.

I'm a haven from its day job,

Taking up space as though to spite

My tendency to fret a gob.

Intruding on my slumber clock

Is this so persistent night hawk.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Lady Amalthea

Named Lady Amalthea, she

Is "The Last Unicorn" of lore.

She leaves her forest home's safety.

Is she the last or be there more?

Many adventures do take her

To the sea where she's able to

Find captive unicorns for sure.

Giving them freedom she does do,

Thanks to the magic of her horn.

Back to their forest all do roam.

No longer the last unicorn,

Lady Amalthea goes home.

A lot of unicorns do share

Their good lives together somewhere.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Breach of Contract

Righteous indignation by right

Had Rumpelstiltskin in Grimm's tale.

He'd made a deal with the Queen tight

For her firstborn, male or female.

And in return he spun the straw

Into a lot of gold so that

The King married the Queen by law.

She then reneged on her deal flat.

Rumpelstiltskin, being nice guy,

Offered to play a guessing game

Which the Queen won, by trick was why,

Eavesdropping when he spilled his name.

The Rumpelstiltskins today do

Righteous indignation and sue.