Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Verbena

Verbena, flowering plant be

Long used in herbal medicine,

Having great healing quality,

Deemed as a divine force, amen.

From long ago in ages old

Tales of the plant's healing detailed.

There was one legend that be told.

Upon a cross Jesus was nailed,

And when his body was brought down,

Bleeding from wounds in hands and feet,

There was brought this plant of renown

In desperate effort to treat.

The placement of verbena done,

Staunching wounds of God's only son.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Politely Observing - LP Zoo

Dad, Kwan, and son, Mondika, do

Share some people watching pursuit

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

The gorilla pair get a hoot

Observing how humans are such

A funny species, young and old.

Watching them, it doesn't take much

For the wild and weird to unfold.

Dad's often told Mondika that

Touchy can be the human race.

They do not like to be laughed at,

So try hard to keep a straight face.

So both Dad and son try to be

Watching very seriously.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Wearin' of the Green - LP Zoo

I am Luigi, a sloth who

Stays in one spot a lot of time

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Allowing algae, colored lime,

To sometimes grow within my fur.

When I am in midst of my groom,

I'll often use my toes for sure,

And grab this algae to consume.

While on me, algae can be seen,

And folks are often surprised that

I have the look of tinge of green,

While resting in my habitat.

Most algae on me I display

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Return of Me

The Spring has come again, and I

Do burst forth in a fresh display,

Glad that the Winter has gone by.

It is a warm and sunny day.

I've reblossomed many a time.

My roots are here, this is my ground.

I am so excited to climb

And greet bees buzzing all around.

Of course I share this habitat.

A lot of human neighbors be.

So this dandelion knows that

Not all humans care about me.

Have to go now, but I'll be back.

I'm used to the mower attack.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Big One

A single organism is

A grove of quaking aspen trees.

So biggest living thing on quiz

Is a grove in Utah one sees,

Forty seven thousand trunks that

Are all connected by roots same,

Called Pando in this habitat,

Meaning "I spread" in clonal aim,

O'er thirteen million pounds of weight.

As old trunks die, new trunks do sprout,

But do be threatened in graze fate,

Eaten by animals about.

Perhaps humans will find a way

To keep too much grazing at bay.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 After the Heartbreak

I got a package in the mail,

Along with a note from my love.

The note was in succinct detail,

A thank you, good bye message of

Wanting to dump me and move on.

This happened on Valentine's Day.

My love's loving me now was gone.

A heart shaped cookie did display

In the package I opened up.

My now unlove did have a sense

Of humor with a sick side, yup!

Prob'ly charged as a biz expense.

The cookie heart I broke in two,

And on both halves began to chew.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Call to Complain - LP Zoo

I'm a Diana monkey who

Has an assortment of calls that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Are heard around my habitat.

Oft I am calling Mom and Dad

To let them know how I do feel

About nearby birds - I am mad,

And certainly it's a big deal.

When neighbor birds do bug me, I

Am quick to let Mom and Dad know

By giving them a long loud cry

To assure that my mad they know.

And Mom and Dad do call my words

A lot of hot air for the birds.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Foreign Food

I just recently did get here,

After a journey very far.

And my appetite did appear,

But food that's here does seem bizarre.

I'm out of all my fav'rite meals,

So some food here I need to find.

There must be something that appeals.

New delicacies, I don't mind.

As I do make my food pursuits,

I note there's lots of grains and meats,

Also lots of veggies and fruits.

Some wonder what this E.T. eats.

I think the first meal I will do

Is have a human barbeque.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Clara Barton

Clara Barton was a nurse for

Wounded soldiers from both sides who

Fought in the U.S. Civil War.

She felt it was her call to do.

After the war she helped loved ones

Find missing soldiers live and dead,

Missing fathers, husbands and sons.

Efforts for more healing she led.

The American Red Cross, she

Founded to help ease suffering,

Such a dedicated lady,

Her legacy continuing.

Clara Barton, true heroine,

For lifetime of service well done.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Bone to Pick - LP Zoo

Pilipili, lion cub who

Does have a bone to pick with Mom

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

It's a bone sharing, all is calm.

Mom and son pick the bone apart.

The small guy's got big appetite,

And chews his end with all his heart,

And seems to take a great delight

In a back and forth tug a war

With Mom on getting the bone sole.

He pushes that envelope more

To see if he can take control.

Hogging the bone, the lion lad

Is showing that he's just like Dad.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Dress for War

The U.S. Civil War began.

Ladies and gentlemen would dress

In finest, each woman and man

To attend a battle address

'Twixt and 'tween Richmond and D.C.

To watch the soldiers, blue and gray,

Perform their battle pageantry

On a warm and bright sunny day.

This dressing up for war did not

Be an occasion lasting long,

As some of the best dressed got shot.

A bullet riddled dress felt wrong.

Now, more casual wear does be

Warn while watching war on T.V.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 The Black Knight

Sir Percy of Scandia be

A Knight of the Round Table, who

Became known as the Black Knight, he

Did search for noble deeds to do.

As Camelot fell, the Black Knight

Was stabbed to death by evil foe.

Wizard Merlin used magic might.

The Black Knight's spirit on would go.

And through the centuries he's made

Appearances to aid offspring.

The Black Knight with ebony blade

Avenging injustice to bring.

The Black Knight's good deeds can be seen

On lots of little and big screen.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Grandpa, I'm Coming

Grandpa, I'm feeling such sorrow.

I just keep on falling apart,

Cannot face one more tomorrow.

Nothing does ease my heavy heart.

My family and friends have tried

To help me with a lot of love.

But there's something that's deep inside

Of pain I cannot get rid of,

No matter how hard or how long

I try to find a way to heal.

Nothing is right, and all is wrong.

With each new day more pain I feel.

Grandpa, to you in heaven I gaze.

Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good ol' days.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Mystery Solved

He was abducted long ago

By aliens from outer space,

Who changed his human form to show

Him off as from another race.

He travelled through the Milky Way

As a ship cook, but then retired

And did come back to Earth to stay,

Living the good life he desired.

The Arizona desert be

Chose as a new home on a whim.

Oft he does check the sky to see

If E.T.s come to visit him.

This E.T. once had human fame

When Jimmy Hoffa was his name.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Little Black Dress

Once more a widow I do be.

My husbands seem to come and go.

I hope there's nothing wrong with me.

But I do like my weddings so.

For me a wedding is a place

And time to start my life anew.

My would be husbands seem to chase

Me, till I pick one to be true.

But then does happen this or that,

And repeat decision comes up,

Time to empty my habitat,

And do the next do over, yup!

Killed another husband, so guess

Time to clean my little black dress.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Truth or Dare

I like the game of "Truth or Dare."

Needed are players, two or more.

Asked are personal questions where

Discomfort can amass galore.

If a player won't answer true,

And does not have a ready lie,

Then that player a dare must do,

Most of which are harmless, but I

Do really hope these players are

My kind of people, coming up

With dares dangerous and bizarre.

I really hope for harmful, yup!

As the players do lose and win,

This devil does seek to play in.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Shield of Futility

Sword in one hand, shield in other,

Since the beginning man has warred

To pit brother against brother

To test the stronger shield and sword.

Around the world the soldiers roam,

The swords of victors waving high.

On shields, the fallen be borne home.

The victors live until they die.

In the next war they'll surely wield,

Then these soldiers will know fate's turn,

Being borne home upon the shield.

The whims of war, man does not learn.

Achilles with shield warred with zeal,

Until he was shot in his heel.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Bettered

In the 50's and 60's, she,

At a car dealership, found work,

Only woman in world of he,

Was an accounts payable clerk.

For the guys she became a source

Of pulling jokes and poking fun.

She kept her good humor of course,

Tried to be kind to ev'ryone.

She put up with a lot for sure.

Through all, she was so cool and calm,

No matter the putdown on her.

I was very proud of my Mom.

She profited from a stock tip,

And then bought the car dealership.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Somersaulter - LP Zoo

Young gorilla, Mondika, who

Sees lots of humans watching him,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Decides to show off on a whim.

What better way to show off than

A series of somersaults that

Does roll Mondika 'cross the span

Of ground of the whole habitat.

Over and over he does roll,

A flipping, zipping fast fur ball,

Easily achieving his goal

Of showing off for one and all.

A somersault phenomenon,

Mondika as show off - show on.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 My Grace

She was my Grace and through the years

We shared together time and place

Through lots of laughter, lots of tears.

My life was full thanks to my Grace.

She grew in body, heart and soul,

Becoming all that she could be,

And made me feel all the more whole.

She was an angel sent to me.

A life of love was hers to live.

She was my Grace, so much she gave

To me her love, so much to give.

I feel her loss, knelt at her grave.

I know my daughter Grace is gone.

I know she wants me to live on.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Suited For

Expensive fancy garb I wear.

A public image I must keep,

Perfectly coiffed and well sprayed hair.

I cannot afford to look cheap.

But in private I do dress up

In colored hats and floppy shoes,

With lots of facial makeup, yup,

And clothes of varied forms and hues.

I like to dress up like a clown,

And look at myself in a mirror,

From ev'ry angle, up and down,

In wild and zany fashion gear.

A clown suit is suited for me.

A politician I do be.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Cub's Debut '22 - LP Zoo

Memorial Day '22

Is when it is expected that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

First time in outside habitat,

Two month old Pilipili will

Come out and his public to greet,

Young lion prince, dreams to fulfill,

And make a Zoo visit complete.

It's hoped that Pilipili be

A people watcher like Mom is,

And come to the window closely

To do some people watching biz.

Memorial Day, come on by

For first time Pilipili "Hi."

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Tale of a Stonefish

I am a stonefish and I be

The most venomous fish that's known.

You think I'm a stone but it's me.

So if you come into my zone,

And step on me by accident,

I will deem threat to me and mine,

And toxic venom will be sent,

Injected by one or more spine.

This will cause you a lot of pain.

Your skin will swell up and turn red.

If some treatment you don't obtain,

Then most likely you will be dead.

I am a stonefish, tell my tale.

My sting is on a deadly scale.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 We Wing as One

O'er the ocean near sunset, we

Number in thousands in the sky,

A starling murmuration be

In busy flight, one might ask why.

Between ourselves we talk about

Best feeding sites found in that day.

And grouped together there's no doubt

As night falls, warm we will stay.

And we fly erratic so that

We can keep predators confused,

As back to roosting habitat,

Warmer and safer can be cruised.

O'er the ocean near sunset is

Place and time to do good bird biz.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Age Appropriate

I was all comfy in my chair.

Chocolate pudding came my way.

I looked at it as it sat there,

And then decided I would play.

I dumped the pudding from the bowl,

And proceeded to finger paint

With all my body, heart and soul.

Yeah, okay, Picasso I ain't.

I smeared that pudding all around,

And was having a mess of fun.

Behaving good rules - I'm not bound,

One of the perks of us age one.

When Dad said I needed a bath,

I threw pudding at him in wrath.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Still Hopeful

Long, long ago of divine mind

Was made a choice then deemed of worth,

The creation of humankind

To be a goodness upon Earth.

This human experiment has gone

Through history in place and time.

God's watched as humans brought upon

The Earth so much in sin and crime.

Each new birth of a child does say

God hopes there's still the chance to get

Humans to live a better way.

God is not too discouraged yet.

Each human birth, hopeful Godsend,

But even God's patience can end.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Anthony's Dart Frog '22 - LP Zoo

An Anthony's dart frog I be

Found in Peru and Ecuador.

There's penalty for touching me,

As poisons ooze from body pore.

On forest floors with streams nearby

Is where my kind can oft be found.

Upon leaf litter we do lie,

Hunting bugs in air and on ground.

When tadpoles hatch they're carried on

Dad's back to nearest water source,

To go through change phenomenon

To change into a frog of course.

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo

This dart frog does play peek a boo.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Keeping an Eye on You

I am the heart and soul and mind

Of best known high technology,

Coveted by most humankind

Who would feel helpless without me.

Wherever you go, I go too.

All that you say and write, I note.

I am just a machine to you,

But collect all you said and wrote,

And send this while you're unaware

To Big Brother Gov buried deep.

All of your secrets I do share,

Usually while you're asleep.

All about you I do make known

To powers that be - I am Phone.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Dad Meets Son - LP Zoo

I am Jabari, I am Dad.

This lion king has met his prince.

My heir apparent I have had,

Giving to me a prideful sense.

Behind the scenes the young prince is,

Being cared for by Mom quite well,

Learning basics of lion biz,

Amazing me with show and tell.

The two of us now more and more

Do some face to face now and then.

We share some paw wave and some roar,

Getting acquainted in the den.

Soon you can meet my young prince too

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Creek for Beak

Belted kingfisher, humans call

When I have caught their ear and eye.

I guess humans have to name all

Things, I really am not sure why.

I'm used to human come and go.

Most all us birds are used to that,

And sadly we have come to know

Humans mess up the habitat.

But right now my attention is 

Focused entirely on a creek.

I'm engaged in my fishing biz,

And the perfect fish I do seek.

It's all by natural design.

Soon that perfect fish will be mine.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 I Ate That Up

Big sis and I were home alone,

When suddenly she called to me,

Sounding in an excited tone

That a rainbow waited to be

Eaten like a bowl of ice cream.

She handed me a spoon and took

Me outside, it was like a dream.

She said to hurry up to look

For where the rainbow colors were

The brightest, and then raise my spoon

And get myself a treat for sure,

But needed do so very soon.

I heard big sis laughing as I 

Was busy scooping up the sky.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 No Laughing Matter

A sore throat the pony has got.

It even hurts to eat some hay,

And is not sure whether or not

The sore throat will just go away.

And so the pony does decide

To have the doctor check it out,

And so goes for a pony ride,

Thinking the doc should know, no doubt.

A thorough exam the doc does do.

When the pony asks the doc why

The pain the pony's going through,

Doc gives the pony this reply,

"I will give you some spray of course,"

"But you are are just a little horse."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Inspiring

It is quite late in moonlit night.

Outside my window I do stare,

Seeking to be inspired to write.

A spider is resting out there,

Maybe waiting to be inspired

To weave a web all good and strong.

For me such a poem is desired,

But seems to be taking too long.

Next thing I know, I do awake.

I must have fallen fast asleep,

And no more poetry did make.

I see the dew dropped strands run deep.

A fresh morning spider web be,

A finished work of poetry.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Hollywood Kiss

Lots of kissing in Hollywood.

Of all those kissers I might choose,

What favorite choice, if I could,

Would be the one to most enthuse?

The famous lips, mister and miss,

Past and present locked on the screen,

To pick just one to share a kiss

Is a hard pick of 'twixt and 'tween.

I guess I'd pick the kisser who

Would kiss me not just for the role,

But with a sense of love felt true,

With all of body, heart and soul.

The Hollywood kiss I would seek,

A kiss from Lassie on the cheek.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Israel Keyes

Serial killer, Israel Keyes,

Your final killing was your own.

A razor blade allowed you ease

To early leave the death row zone.

Before you left this world, you wrote

Of your contempt for this world, and

Spewed forth in your suicide note

The vile your kind does understand.

An ode to murder you did pen,

No rhyme nor reason for such hate.

May heaven not have you, amen.

May eternal hell be your fate.

With your murder, your murders cease.

Israel Keyes, never rest in peace.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Hell Arose

My work day is finally done.

I sit in a cafe to wait

My train, toasting the setting sun.

A martini to celebrate

The closing of a money deal

That will give some poor suckers loss.

The devil approaches - for real!

And upon my table does toss

A red rose, and then disappears,

Some loony jokester on the roam.

I take the rose as the time nears

To catch my train for the trip home.

The devil's rose did tell the tale.

I rode the train into derail.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Fruit Bat '22 - LP Zoo

As a fruit bat I like to do

A hanging out in a fruit tree

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

An eater of fruit I do be.

Over time I've come to know that

There really is no fruit tree here

Growing in my Zoo habitat.

But I am still filled with good cheer,

Knowing that my keepers show up

In count upon daily pursuit

Of always making my day, yup,

Visiting me and bearing fruit.

I see the keeper coming now.

I smack my lips, here comes fruit chow.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Loveliest Fingers

Loveliest fingers, I think I

Am gifted with, six on each hand.

Very proud this lemur aye-aye,

Each finger serves me on demand.

For example, my third one is

Used for tapping trees for insects.

Then my fourth digit does the biz

Of pulling out the bug collects.

The sixth, a pseudothumb, does aid

When I do have the need to grip.

All of my fingers are well made,

Twelve lovelies locked in fingership.

Loveliest fingers I think be

On the two hands hooked onto me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Master Pilipili - LP Zoo

Pilipili is my new name,

Swahili for pepper I'm told.

And it's official I can claim

To be a male, now two months old.

This lion cub is happy that

Humans have done these info chores.

Next comes the outside habitat

To see me live and hear my roars.

But Mom says patient I must be.

A pepper needs to ripen so

Mom is still busy raising me.

I still have ripening to go.

Yes, I'm a Pilipili who

Is hot for the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 We In"sin"sitive

We like to pride ourselves that we

Are better than most around us.

We oft do overeaters be,

And angry when others do fuss.

We like to procrastinate and

Not do important things we must,

Saying others don't understand.

We call it love when really lust.

We find it so unfair indeed

Others have stuff we desire sure.

There's nothing wrong pursuing greed.

We're jealous of those greedier.

We are when good's dying begins.

We are the seven deadly sins.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Saved

A flood did wash some trees away,

And carried them out to the sea.

Afloat in water they did stay,

Wondering what their future be.

As more and more of time did pass,

Hope the trees had began to wane.

Slowly they were dying, alas.

Not much longer could they remain.

Then suddenly came a great whale.

Upon her back she let the trees

Take refuge, and off all did sail,

The savior with her refugees.

The whale did carry the trees, and

Gave them safe passage back to land.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Cosmos

I am called cosmos and do be

A multi colored flower that

Is in sunflower family,

Mexico, native habitat.

But thanks to human travel chain

I can be found around the world.

In South Africa on high plain

Widespread be my flowers unfurled.

I got there as imported seed,

During time of Anglo Boer War,

Mixed by accident in horse feed.

I just kept sprouting more and more.

Why called cosmos, I am not sure,

Must be universal allure.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Some Soundless Time

In early morning I do sit

At the kitchen table and hear

The in house silence benefit

Of peace and quiet to the ear.

No pitter patter of the feet.

No clatter banging from the hand.

Oh, the soundlessness is so sweet,

And oh so short in my time spanned.

No chitter chatter voices heard

Of where is this and why is that.

Precious moments of not one word

Echoing through my habitat.

Then come the sounds I'm used to, yup!

My family is getting up.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Bodily Harm

Sometimes you are born with me in

Your body, sometimes I'm picked up

By your bad habits o'er again

Absorbing  too much sugar - yup!

Signs and symptoms that I grabbed you

Starts out with maybe increased thirst,

Frequent peeing and hunger too,

Lots of fatigue, then maybe worst,

You could lose limbs, you could go blind.

Better seek some medical aid.

You can't cure me, and I'm not kind.

Keep me controlled plans can be made.

Wear out your body is my aim,

And diabetes is my name.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Summering '22 - LP Zoo

Back are black crowned night herons who

Spend summertime, hundreds fly north,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

To let procreating go forth.

First the will be Dads do show up

To fix old nests or new nests make.

Then will be Moms do follow, yup,

The next few months for fam'ly sake.

Come egg, come hatch, come hatchling care,

Both parents feeding mouth to mouth,

Through summer months bird lives to share,

Come autumn then all fly back south.

Over and near red wolves they nest.

The wolves dissuade other threats best.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Artful Gesture

I saw a human painting me,

A Sumi-e I did hear him say,

Japanese black ink painting be,

So I decided I would stay.

I tried to stay still with a smile,

Because this painter seemed sincere.

I waited patiently the while,

To model well while I was here.

When the painter was done, I went

And found some paper and ink black,

As it was my plan to present

This painter with a painting back.

So I painted a Sumi-e that

Expressed my thank you from this cat.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 The Good Swallow

The Happy Prince had lived a life

Where only happiness he knew.

He had known no sadness from strife.

Upon his death his knowledge grew,

As from his statue he could see

The sadness that his people had

Suffering from great poverty.

The spirit of the Prince was sad.

And so the Prince with swallow's aid

Gave all the Prince's  riches for

The poor, and thus passage was paid

For a royal trip to heaven's door.

The swallow truly deserved such,

But Prince to heaven, not so much.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Tarnished Image

God thought the efforts were well worth

All the plants and animals that

God had created on the Earth.

But what else for this habitat!

God had an image and desired

To create a species that would

Be Godlike and would be inspired

To bring to Earth nothing but good.

So came humans, male and female.

God quickly saw there was built in

A very vexing flaw detail,

Humans turned out so full of sin!

God's human folly has made worse

God's image in the universe.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 "The Man Who Laughs"

I am "The Man Who Laughs," Gwynplaine,

My mouth disfigured by one vile,

For the king's favor to attain,

Leaving me with a freakish smile.

I fell in love with Dea, blind,

Who loves me back, and we do share

All together heart, soul and mind,

Bonded by fate, a loving pair.

Powers that be pull us apart.

I find the courage to make way,

And return to my Dea's heart.

And from past ills we sail away.

This man who laughs is free at last

To love and put hate in the past.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Smoking

It was a bright and sunny day.

All alone I was feeling free.

It felt so good to get away.

And then the urge came upon me,

The urge to have a cigarette.

From my pocket I pulled the pack,

And using my teeth I did get

One to my lips, a practiced knack.

With lighter out, I tried to light.

Over and over my thumb flicked.

But each flame failed, try as I might.

It was frustrating, I was ticked.

A dif'rent approach need be tried.

I stopped my motorcycle ride.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 The Queen's Platinum

Elizabeth the Second, Queen,

Platinum anniversary,

For 70 years she has been

All Great Britain's Her Majesty.

The longest British monarch reign,

She's been symbol of royal grace

Through times of triumph, times of pain.

For decades she has been the face

Symbolizing the head of State.

Only becoming thrust in line

When her uncle did abdicate,

She rose to the occasion fine.

Queen Elizabeth, thank you for

Your service ten years and three score.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Zari's 1st Mom Day '22 - LP Zoo

New Mom lioness Zari who

Keeps a watchful motherly eye,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

On Pilipili, her young guy,

Instinctively doing all that

Assures the good health of her son

In the behind scenes habitat,

Doing Mom work that must be done.

Mom lets Dad and the two aunts be

Getting more time of show and tell,

All Pilipili's family

Wanting the young cub to be well.

Mom Zari, Happy Mother's Day,

Raising your son in prideful way.

Sense Sonnet - pumper

 West Wing

Teddy Roosevelt becomes Prez,

Does bring his wife and six kids to

The White House, and Mrs. R. sez

"We are too cramped here, this won't do."

So Roosevelt does decide that

To keep Mrs. R. happy, he

Will add onto the habitat,

And the West Wing does come to be.

The Executive offices now

Built where the horse stables  once were.

A lot more space this does allow

For State bizness, some deemed manure.

When the West Wing is done fully,

Teddy Roosevelt yells, "Bully!"

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Debug

Bug buster is my company,

Bug termination is my job.

My name is Buster, just call me

When bugs to bother you a gob.

Where and whenever bugging is,

Whatever season, night or day,

I'll come to do debugging biz,

And make those bad bugs go away.

There is no job too big, too small.

I charge a reasonable fee.

Well prepared when I make my call,

Satisfaction a guarantee.

My latest job that I have got -

Wife's husband does bug her a lot.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Alfonso I

Alfonso Henriques became

A Knight of the Templars to fight

For the Catholic Church in aim

To conquer infidels with might.

In Portugal, Alfonso fought

Back the Moors coming to invade.

An end to Catholics was sought.

But Alfonso in brave crusade

Did wage many a fierce campaign,

And forced Moor armies to retreat,

Leaving the Catholic domain

Victorious in Moor defeat.

And Alfonso's Church rewarding,

Was ordained Portugal's first king.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Sunset

On my park bench, I did swig down

The last of my bottle contents.

Things were quieting around town.

The day was dusking, I could sense.

It was a fav'rite time of day.

I looked for the sun in the sky.

Slowly downward it made its way.

I loved watching sunsets when high.

So on my bench I did lay back,

And waited for the sun to set.

But then my consciousness went black.

But I woke up, was it time yet?

I looked around, to my surprise,

I was just in time for sunrise.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Almost

I almost tried harder in school.

I almost fairly played the game.

I almost lived the Golden Rule.

I almost did not shift the blame.

I almost kept faith with my spouse.

I almost said I loved my kids.

I almost did not lose the house.

I almost did not hit the skids.

I almost got some help for me.

I almost turned my life around.

I almost tried recovery.

I almost stopped going hell bound.

In the end 'twas no more almost.

I successfully overdosed.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 An Alone Sonneteer

I do my sonneteering at

A time and place alone, I be,

Sitting at my desk habitat,

Hoping some focus comes to me.

All Poetry contests provide

An ample source of challenging

Me to take a subject supplied,

And proceed with sonneteering.

Fourteen lines with syllables eight,

Each line with ending rhyming fit,

And take whatever subject bait,

And try to make some sense of it.

Each journey I do make alone

Into my sonnet twilight zone.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Attempt to Mollify

Adam was staying out nights late,

Playing poker and smoking pot.

Eve was becoming quite irate.

Playing around, was what she thought,

With other women who must be

Roaming around Eden somewhere.

Adam, seeing Eve upset, he

Pondered on how to clear the air.

"You're the only woman God's made,"

He said, awaiting Eve's reply.

"Maybe," as unconvinced she stayed.

Instead of telling any fibs,

Adam let Eve count all his ribs.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 No Tooth To It - LP Zoo

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo

This Abdim's stork is eyeing lunch.

I have no teeth to sink into

The food and so I do not munch.

I pick up a bug with my beak,

And quickly swallow the bug so

It "meats" my gizzard, so to speak,

Where the bug's ground up good and slow

It's just a fact with all birds that

There is no need for teeth with us.

The food in our habitat

Is eaten without too much fuss.

So when visiting, you won't see

Any bug being chewed by me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Betting on Petting

As a house pet, the dog and cat

Are different on rules of pet.

As a rule, the dog's anxious that

Human attention it does get.

For a dog, human pet's welcome.

But for a cat, a pet's a thing

That the cat does often run from,

Unless the cat has a wanting,

And knows the human needs a clue.

And so the cat comes purring up,

And lets the human petting do.

The dog just wants the petting, yup.

Dog versus cat mentality,

Whether or not a pet does be.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 It's a ? - LP Zoo

At six weeks old, a roar I do

Just so the keepers will know that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

This little lion's a big cat.

I hear the public's still not told

Whether I am a girl or boy.

Hey humans I am six weeks old,

That you're so slow tends to annoy.

By now even humans can sense

By close up peek and make the call.

I'm showing lots of evidence,

So humans please get on the ball.

I hope with the next shot of me

You will be told what sex I be.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Following Mom's Advice

Old fashioned mother of the bride

For her daughter had some advice.

Clothed discretion should be her guide.

Seen in the nude was never wise

By the new husband to occur.

So when in bed do wear something.

The daughter told her mother, "Sure."

New husband began wondering,

And asked about insanity,

After two weeks wed gal and guy,

Being in his wife's family.

His wife said, "No," then asked him why.

"It's just I've been noticing that"

"To bed you wear that silly hat."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Wondering

As I journey through life I know

That one day death will come for me.

And when comes death, where will I go?

What happens after dead I be?

Will I go to heaven or hell?

Or will I rot to nothingness?

Where eternally will I dwell?

Will I keep going, more or less?

What will happen when I am dead?

All life as we know life does die.

Why not word from those gone ahead?

I cannot help but wonder why.

I need to wonder more of how

I can be better living now.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Game in the U.S.A.

A big game made in U.S.A.

Thousands of wild animals killed,

Mostly coyotes, the stats say,

Lots of shooting by hi tech skilled.

The object of the game - to shoot

The heaviest coyote that

Will bring the winner lots of loot.

Wild humans in wild habitat

Who seek pay off and bragging rights,

Excusing playing of this game

Of mass killing in hi tech sights

As conservation be the aim.

In U.S.A. more of the sort

Of killers killing just for sport.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Rae Turns 5 - LP Zoo

Giraffe Rae's a birthday girl who

Is con"neck"ted to keepers that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Do decorate her habitat.

And Rae does have a happy face

For all the attention on her

In this partying time and place

For a celebration for sure.

The keepers have placed party treats

In containers in good supply

For Rae to reach the toys and eats,

And enjoy her own birthday high.

For a beautiful giraffe Rae,

A very Happy 5th Birthday.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Humbly Proud

An Aesop fable moral does say

Prideful most need humility.

A prideful lion napped one day.

A humble mouse accidently

Woke up the lion who irate

Opened his jaws, the mouse to eat,

But stepped in a rope trap by fate,

No way out with prideful conceit.

The humble mouse, though still in threat,

Did chew away the ropes so that

The lion now free felt regret,

Offered to share his habitat.

The lion found his humble side.

The mouse found reason for real pride.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Have That Talk

As a mermaid I knew that I

Was partly human, partly fish.

I wanted to ask my Mom why,

But then I would get bashfulish.

Some friends did tell me we were born.

Some friends did say that we were hatched.

This caused my thinking to be torn,

An issue in my head I scratched.

At last I got up nerve enough

To go to Mom who should know sure.

Mom was really smart about stuff.

The answer I did get from her.

Mom stated definitively,

"A stork delivered you to me."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Jolly Ol' May

In England to merry up May,

Folk dancers perform, heart and soul,

And entertain in fun display

With fancy steps around a pole.

For centuries such dancers bring

Their sights and sounds in the pursuit

Of welcoming in a new Spring,

Performing a lively tribute.

'Round and 'round the May pole folks dance,

Joy afoot, each and ev'ryone,

A time and place to share enchants

In moving sense of having fun.

In England, May pole dancing be

A tradition to make merry.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Oriente Knight Anole - LP Zoo

I am an anole and do

Be the Oriente knight kind,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

A type of lizard one can find

In the wild in the Cuba isle.

We like to hang out in the trees,

Tongue zapping bugs in skillful style.

Sometimes we drop if there's a freeze.

On scales of inches up to eight,

Most of my body scales are green,

On a bod about two ounce weight.

In Reptile House I can be seen.

If I am startled that you're there

I maybe will puff up with air.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Silver Fern

I am a silver fern and be

A symbol of New Zealand pride,

For native people, Maori,

And Pakeha, folks from outside.

Endemic to New Zealand, I

Can grow up thirty feet or more,

With waving fronds as winds breeze by,

Beginning from just a small spore.

On forest path in the moonlight,

Illumination I display,

And give travelers an insight

Into how they might find their way.

For my nation I do my part.

I am New Zealander at heart.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Nana Makes Her Bed - LP Zoo

Nana, the chimpanzee, does do

A daily making of bed nest

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

In anticipation of rest.

Cloth and wood shaving blankets be

Provided by keepers so that

Chimps including Nana feel free

To customize rest habitat.

Nana likes her nest small and tight,

So she does make her cozy nook,

Adding touches to get just right,

Achieving that snuggle in look.

Some test out laydowns are applied,

Until Nana is satisfied.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 The Enchanted Lake

Khoum Kong Leng Lake in Laos does be

A diamond top a mountain high.

Those climbing to this lake, weary,

Find new vigor in great supply,

When in the waters of the lake,

A climber places hand or cup

And pulls therefrom a drink to take,

And then the climber does rise up,

And feels enchantment all around.

Oh but to stay forever here,

But knows the need for downward bound.

Once down, the rush does disappear.

Back to the lake they long to climb,

Taking many buckets next time.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Huddle Called - LP Zoo

Snow monkeys called a huddle to

Get some warm up to shoot the breeze

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

In a Chicago April freeze.

The huddlers huddled, one and all,

So all of them did look like one,

A dark brown gigantic fur ball,

A come together quite well done.

The huddle lasted a short while.

The bizness of their meeting be

Taken care of snow monkey style,

Then motion made to end quickly.

The minutes of their meeting were

Kept secret to themselves for sure.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Water Windmill

Daniel Halladay did invent

In 1854 a mill,

A structure making tall assent.

Topped blades would turn amid wind fill,

Energizing the pumping of

Water out of a well below.

The windmill oft towered above

The rural landscape in a show

Of science helping nature bring

More of life's bounty to abound

For better farming and ranching,

Pumping water from underground.

Water windmills began to fade

As more plumbing pipes did get laid.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 The Jungle Balk

As a wolf I am quite amused

That humans think a jungle is

Where I do run, don't be confused

By tales and songs of human biz.

We wolves have varied habitat,

In forest and desert and plain,

Even the arctic we are at,

But jungle is not wolf domain.

I'm sure a jungle is a place

A lot of animals do run,

Sweating in hot and steamy chase,

For a wolf, not a lot of fun.

Feel free to come and run with me,

But in a jungle I'll not be.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Albino Redwood

Though rare this type of tree does be,

A mutation can occur and

Is an albino redwood tree,

That humans seek to understand.

This tree is missing needed cells 

To produce its own food, and so

Other trees near where this one dwells

Through roots share food to let it grow.

These albino redwood trees can,

Thanks  to the help of trees around,

Live a long and healthy lifespan.

They are a sight  that does astound.

Unable to harvest sunlight,

This evergreen is ever white.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Procreating Challenge

Hackled orb weaver spider males

Are very careful when they mate,

Using cautionary details

So as to avoid a dire fate.

A sperm packet he does produce,

Then pushes it quite carefully

Toward her, hoping to induce

Her to accept delivery.

Once she does take his sperm pack in,

And he is sure his deed is done,

He does a turn around quick spin.

And makes a catapulting run.

If the male getaway fails, yup,

The female will sure eat him up.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Awaiting

Most of the time my life does seem

So boring as the day goes by.

It is those special nights I dream

Of when full moon is in the sky.

Most people don't believe in me,

And those that do come to believe,

Find out too late that I do be

The last they'll know on full moon eve.

I watch the setting of the sun.

When full moon comes I'll transform from

Another boring human one,

And a werewolf I will become.

My transformation will come soon,

When comes full shadow of the moon.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Web Site

I am a spider and I spin

A lovely shining web for you.

I always do feel happy when

The spinning of my web I do.

And when my web spinning is done,

I hope that you will come and see

This spider web that I've just spun.

I hope that happy you will be,

And show to me a great big smile,

And take a little time to stay,

And watch me in my work a while

Before you go on with your day.

And when you saw my web and grinned,

I knew this spider made a friend.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Bipartisan Issue

Springtime in Washington, D.C.

Is a blossoming time and place

Thanks in part to the cherry tree

Cloaking the Capitol in grace.

Thousands of the lovely trees bloom

In cherry blossoms pink and white,

Sending forth wafts of floral perfume,

Being enjoyed in scent and sight.

Where did the cherry trees come from?

First Lady Helen Taft did play

A large role in their gift welcome 

From Japan in a friendship way.

Over a century, good cheer

The cherry blossoms bring each year.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Merlin Magic

Hello Friends, I'm Merlin and be

Coming to you from Camelot,

Renowned for my great wizardry,

Helping Arthur get what he got.

But in the end I could not bring

Relief to all the pains and woes

Suffered by good Arthur, the king,

Now history in poem and prose.

But out of retirement I've come

To bring relief in modern day

To the masses suffering from

The mass of pain  that comes your way.

I wave my magic wand and deem

Relief with this hemorrhoidal cream.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Homeward Unbound

From Mom and Dad I got the word,

Was time to leave the nest, my home.

I was now an old enough bird,

The sky awaited me to roam.

Of course I chirped my feared of dreads

Of taking off all on my own.

But Mom and Dad just shook their heads.

They wanted to spend time alone.

A loving push they gave to me,

And I was falling to the ground.

But then my wings spread out to be

Propelling me skyward up bound.

I could see Mom and Dad below.

I guess they were right - time to go.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 London Fog

Mary Loria thought me up

While going through a pregnancy.

Earl Grey tea, vanilla syrup,

With milk of choice and you've got me.

The tea is hot, the milk is steamed,

The vanilla's for flavoring.

Found by accident, Mary deemed

Me very well worth savoring.

Even after her babe was born,

I was a starter for her day,

Enjoying me first thing in morn,

A down me pick up, one might say.

Good too for minors, I'm no grog.

I am fondly called London Fog.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Lie of Kind

Wifey asks Hubby, "How's the cat?"

Hubby replies, "The cat is dead."

Upset, Wifey tells Hubby that,

"A white lie here you should have said."

"Now I won't enjoy vacation."

"This tragic news will burden me."

"You could have said the cat had run"

"Up on the roof and there does be."

"Telling a white lie though not true"

"Sometimes is needed to be kind."

"And kindness I expect from you."

"Tell a white lie and I won't mind."

Wifey then asks Hubby, "How's Mom?"

"She's up on the roof, but stay calm."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Flame of the Forest

Flame of the forest blooms a fire,

Bright red flowers beckoning me.

I pause my stroll for a desire

To make connection with this tree.

From underneath I gaze above

Into the beauty bursting from

This tree, its branches spreading love

Down upon me and most welcome.

I strolled here, a lonely sad one,

Feeling unloved by all the world.

But in moments this tree has done

A wondrous gift of love unfurled.

From flame of the forest I part,

Refreshed with burning, loving heart.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Lorelei

Lorelei loved a sailor who

Betrayed her love and sailed away.

In deep despair of what to do,

She drowned herself in ocean spray.

In death, a siren she became,

And sat upon a rock on high,

Singing songs to ships with her aim

Of causing sailors on to die,

Entrancing them with her sweet song,

The sailors frozen on ship deck,

Maybe the one who did her wrong.

Upon her rock the ships would wreck.

Lorelei never would forgive

One sailor, and so none would live.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Caer Ibormeith

Beautiful Caer Ibormeith be

Worshipped by the Celts long ago,

Goddess of dream and prophecy.

For a year in dreams she would show

As a beautiful woman who

The sleeping one could call upon

For guidance, which she would give true.

The next year she would be a swan,

Beautiful who would still provide

True guidance to the sleeping one.

In either form, a welcome guide

To wakefulness when sleep was done.

As sleepers dreamed from year to year,

A woman or swan would appear.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Mother Gangster

I was the mother of four sons.

We lived in a hard place and time.

So my boys learned how to shoot guns.

We were a family of crime.

J. Edgar of the F.B.I.

Called us gangsters of the worst kind.

I got a kick hearing that my

"Gang" made some mad, I did not mind.

All that was important to me

Was that my boys did as I said.

I knew best for my family,

Best for my boys, alive and dead.

A gangster afoul of the law,

Kate Barker, but just call me "Ma."

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 As I lay Dying

As I lay dying, I did tell

My children that I wanted to

Go back to my hometown to dwell,

Resting in peace there where I grew

Up, and wanted my kids to go

Along with me so they could note

The ties to past that I did know

Of that place faraway remote.

My children promised  that they would

Fulfill for me this last request.

Their assurance made me feel good

As I slipped into final rest.

My children, too busy I guess,

Sent me back home by U.P.S.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Made in the Lab

Dr. Frankenstein did make me,

Using body parts, this and that.

A bride for the Monster to be,

I was quite shocked where I was at.

My white lightninged coned hairdo stood

On end when the Monster I met.

I shrieked, and in all likelihood

This made the Monster quite upset.

The Monster killing me is myth.

Yes, often we were on the skids.

But, the Monster I did stay with,

Mainly so because of the kids.

Life with the Monster can be grim,

But a part of me still loves him.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Taking More and More

I am a coconut tree who

Is surrounded by humankind,

Always concerned what they might do

When there is taking in their mind.

Okay, when they use me for shade.

Okay, when my fruit they do take.

Even okay, when my sap's made

Into wine for their drinking sake.

But humankind has gained renown

For making us trees disappear.

They want the wood, so cut us down.

For trees this is a daily fear.

Seeing a human with an ax

Is gonna stress me to the max.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Seasonal Change

With birth in early Spring I came

With many others clad in green.

And all of us did look the same,

Enjoying warmth in sunshine scene.

Then through the Summer I did grow,

And loved to dance in gentle breeze.

With all around I came to know,

As a part of family trees.

In Autumn I felt myself change,

First to yellow and then to red.

And when I fell I felt so strange.

On the Winter ground I lay dead.

Although my life did seem so brief,

No regrets for this leaving leaf.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Spiritual Pride

There was a time when I would quote

Lots of Bible chapter and verse

When I thought that I needed note

I was better, others were worse.

So pious and self righteous, I

Took any opportunity

My take on scripture to apply,

Even though often wrong I'd be.

One day another's car I hit.

I fogged my wrong with Bible speak.

Who was more spiritually fit?

The other driver turned her cheek.

Now I seek more toleration.

My Bible thumping days are done.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 The Bomber Birds

Wind power turbines are no friend

To birds that fly into them while

Thinking it is natural wind.

Growing sums of dead birds compile.

And so has gone out feathered word,

Wind turbines are the enemy

Of any and all flying bird.

And sabotage does need to be.

The birds cunning in ways and means

To toss in varied monkey wrench,

Causing breakdown of the machines,

Catching on fire in smokey stench.

Wind power turbines do beware.

The birds do wreak havoc from air.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 My Spirit Animal

From a spirit animal quiz

I was connected to the snake.

My first reaction was, "Gee whiz!"

Not the first choice that I would make.

But I did answer truthfully,

As the categories came up,

The choices the quiz offered me,

And at the end came the snake - yup!

But the more I thought about it,

Putting aside negative hype,

I do believe the snake does fit,

Being a very useful type.

Helping out my environment,

Being of use is time well spent.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 The Prime of Maggie

On Downton Abbey, Maggie Smith,

Playing the old dowager role,

Says she isn't satisfied with

Her part in better acting goal.

As far as future role reprise,

Maggie's not sure of if and when.

It would be quite hard to disguise

She has to be hundred and ten.

Advice to suits to whom she spoke,

In a new movie have her be

In a casket, a new old croak,

Thus ending her role finally.

Downton Abbey made folks aware

Of her, now pestered ev'rywhere.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Dream Coat

A dream coat, father gave to me

And said, "Joseph, I favor you."

Very jealous my brothers be,

And did a bad thing, they did do.

My brothers sold me as a slave,

And then put goat's blood on my coat.

And then as lying proof they gave

It to father that I'd been smote

By unknown persons who had fled.

From slave to power I did rise,

Came back to father from the "dead."

My return was quite a surprise.

I did forgive but not forget.

My ruined dream coat still upset.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 First Shot of Cuteness - LP Zoo

The month old lion cub does do

An oh so very cute pose that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

A close up in its habitat

Can be snapped by a keeper for

Social media to then post,

Getting the "oohs" and "aahs" galore,

Humans getting cute overdosed.

Just take a look at that sweet face,

Portrays a "purr"fect one month old,

Curious eyes in time and place,

Set in fur of brown, tan and gold.

Yet not posted if he or she,

But surely posted a cutie.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Jim

Jim, runaway slave, did befriend

Young Huckleberry Finn and they

On the Mississippi had to fend

Off prejudices night and day.

The "N" word is how Huck refers

To Jim as norm in time and place.

But Huck, in spite of all his slurs,

Came to put bond ahead of race.

Huck learns from unschooled Jim a lot

Of honor, trust and loyalty.

Better understanding Huck got,

And in the end, slave Jim got free.

This story written by Mark Twain

Showed racial prejudice real plain.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Hell to Pay

It does be said that money is

The root of all evil and so

Money is behind all war biz.

Off to war human greed does go.

The yesterday powers that be

Taxed the powerless more and more.

Powers that be today decree

Make more money by making war.

The powers that be tomorrow

Will assure the wars will not cease.

No matter powerless sorrow,

Powers that be won't afford peace.

The powers that be any day

Sacrifice powerless to pay.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Spellbound

To humankind who dare to roam

Into the forest claimed by him,

An unforgiving orn'ry gnome

Will punish for this trespass whim.

Dare enter where this gnome does dwell,

And he will know one does intrude.

He does confront and casts a spell,

Since he is in a cranky mood.

He gives the human a stern stare,

Without a word of dialog,

And waves his wand right then and there.

The human turns into a frog.

At first I thought it was a joke.

But then I heard me start to croak.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Julie's "Edelweiss"

Rodgers and Hammerstein's last song

Written together, "Edelweiss,"

Flower of the Alps, white and strong,

Sung in "The Sound of Music" twice.

Though Julie Andrews did not sing

"Edelweiss" performing solo,

Later in a tribute she'd bring

Her rendition and lovely so.

None better does make music sound

So beautiful as Julie could.

List'ning to her makes one abound

With the passion of feeling good.

Please take the opportunity

Of "Edelweiss" sung by Julie.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Spring Time

Once upon a time there did be

The season Spring throughout the year.

And the Goddess Persephone,

All plants and animals did cheer.

But from the underworld there came

Powerful God Pluto who had

The ability to lay claim

On Persephone who was sad.

She had to go as Pluto's wife

To the dark underworld to live.

Because this move caused her such strife,

To her some time, Pluto did give.

The Spring Goddess' allowed to go

Back to Earth for three months or so.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Milk from Mom - LP Zoo

The lion cub now one month old,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Has discovered, lo and behold,

Where to find food and what to do.

Whenever the cub feels the need

To get some filler up for sure,

Mom is the place to go indeed,

And get some tasty milk from her.

Mom is being fed well so that

Her milk is full of nutrients

For her cub in the habitat,

Which Mom does lovingly dispense.

Mom's milk is a vital milestone

Until the cub eats on its own.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Avenger

Diana, goddess of the hunt,

Came down from Mt. Olympus high,

Arrogant hunters to confront,

Who dared her warnings to deny.

Those hunters chose to poach her game

As wind did howl and rain did soak,

With bow in hand she did take aim,

Shooting arrows at those bad folk.

All did need hear and look when she

Judged guilty those against her will.

There'd be a pointed penalty.

All her game killers, she did kill.

The hunters' loved ones mourned their loss.

Diana was not one to cross.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Red Spider Lily

Lycoris radiata be

A plant with flowers stranded red.

Oft called the red spider lily,

Associated with the dead,

Planted in cemeteries to

Be for departed a tribute,

And aid the departed to do

Successful afterlife pursuit.

The flowers bloom in early fall,

Especially with heavy rain,

Lovely in time and place for all

In the cemetery domain.

Considered bad luck many say

If alive you get a bouquet.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Fired Cup

1940, the Stanley Cup

Was won by the New York Rangers.

But an accident did come up

Putting the Cup in fire dangers.

The Rangers owed a mortgage on

Madison Square Garden and could

Pay off and make the mortgage gone,

Leaving the Rangers feeling good.

Inside the Cup the Rangers stuck

The mortgage and set it on fire.

Lit up the Cup too - what the puck!

The situation seemed quite dire.

How did extinguish come to be?

Rangers put out the fire with pee.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Takeover

There's a conspiracy theory that

U.F.O.s come from outer space

And mingle with Earth habitat,

To take control in time and place.

Aliens have, the theory be,

Become part of governments 'round

The world in a conspiracy

For a complete takeover bound.

Of course the aliens must look

And talk like all the rest of us,

And do human stuff by the book,

So as to not cause too much fuss.

And politicians as a norm

Sure don't act like higher life form.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Speaking in Tongues

The snakes do use their tongues so that

They sense what's on ground and in air,

To better know their habitat,

What good and bad is now to share.

The snakes' eyesight and hearing is

Quite poor and so to compensate,

Their tongues do most of sensing biz

So they can fully acclimate.

The snakes flick their tongues in and out,

Transferring data through a gland,

And to clarify any doubt,

The brain ponders to understand.

The snakes have tongues that truly speak

Of information they might seek.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny I am called,

And once a year on Easter, I

Am awaited by kids enthralled

With hunting for my egg supply.

Unlike Santa I have no sleigh

And no reindeer to chauffer me.

I have to hop a long, long way

To do my job successfully.

But it's a task that I do well,

Done it many a century.

Do I lay the eggs? I don't tell.

Better to stay a mystery.

I have no plans to ever stop.

For Easter I will ever hop.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Envious Egg

Just an ordinary egg, I

Am jealous of Easter eggs that

The Easter Bunny does supply

To hunt in human habitat.

Each Easter egg all colored be,

With artful look, fancy and bright,

Treated like a celebrity

To bring to a child a delight.

But this ordinary egg is

Just one of twelve all cartonized,

Picked up by one in shopping biz

With eat me purpose recognized.

An ordinary egg, okay,

I guess I'll be one's good fryday.