Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 My Favorite Place

My favorite place is where I

Am feeling in serenity

With all the world that's going by.

My favorite place is to be

Serene with a faith from inside

That all familiar and all strange,

My acceptance will be applied

For anything I cannot change.

But if I might change for the good,

I find the courage in my soul

To serenely do as I should,

To help achieve a worthy goal.

Serenity in all I face,

Indeed, that's my favorite place.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 This Dad's on Guard - LP Zoo

A red winged blackbird Dad, I do

Through month of June need to protect,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Any threats with which I connect

To coming too close to my nest,

Where newly hatched are my young ones.

Walking humans pose biggest test,

Threatening my daughters and sons.

At first I'll call a warning cry,

But if the human pays no heed,

Then I'll have no choice but to fly

And smack the top of head, indeed.

When my kids are more on their own,

I will leave the humans alone.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Loneliest Sonnet

I wrote it in a drunken time,

Grief stricken in my heart and soul.

The sonnet flowed in metered rhyme,

Each word in sorrow of the whole.

It was about loss of my love

Who died the day we were to wed.

I wrote my rhyme to God above

Let me join my love with the dead.

Instead I was condemned to live,

To write of lonely misery,

To write that I would not forgive

God for taking my love from me.

My written sonnet dried in ink,

Lonely me continued to drink.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 The Magician

The parents took their children to

See a magician do his tricks.

And such fun marvels he did do

With quite an entertaining mix

Of disappearing that and this.

The parents were quite pleased to see

Their kids caught in hypnotic bliss,

As the magician proved that he

Could make anything disappear

Into other time and place zone.

His tricks the family did cheer.

But then the parents were alone.

The frantic parents did search on.

But magician and kids were gone.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Why I Look Grumpy - LP Zoo

Mr. tawny frogmouth, I do

Have a look of grumpiness that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

I present from my habitat.

Mrs. tawny frogmouth is why

I look grumpy most of the time.

Because of her, I'm a nagged guy.

She nags for no reason or rhyme.

When she nags I don't peep a word.

This would only irritate her.

Frankly, I am scared of that bird.

She is a scary sort for sure.

So I look grumpy because she

Refuses to stop nagging me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Ozzy's Ready for a Date - LP Zoo

I am Ozzy, snow leopard, who

Most often likes to be alone

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

But knows that in the next door zone

Does live snow leopard, Kennedi,

Of the female persuasion, so

I wonder 'bout a he and she

More than just once a while "Hello."

I've mentioned to my keepers that

Maybe a date could be arranged,

Like a lunch in the habitat.

I've not heard back and nothing's changed.

I know that if given the chance,

I'd be a charmer with romance.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley was gifted with

Ability to shoot a gun.

A lot of stories were just myth.

But a sharpshooter, she was one.

In late 1800's she shot

Her way to becoming the star

With Buffalo Bill, as he brought

His Wild West Show to near and far.

Annie's hubby had faith in her.

She shot lots of bullets his way,

Hitting objects near him for sure.

No bullet ever went astray.

Annie Oakley achieved world fame

Because she shot with bullseye aim.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 She Alloparents - LP Zoo

A female Francois langur is

A monkey always ready to

Assist in the parenting biz

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Called alloparenting, each she

Cares for other langurs' offspring,

So Mom can take a break and be

Knowing an "aunt" will give caring.

Meanwhile the Dads and other guys

Don't really want to get involved

On offspring issues that arise,

Knowing the gals will get it solved.

In the he or she parent game,

A lot of humans play the same.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Lesson of Icarus

Some believe, "to live is to fly."

But humans who like to think that,

Must realize that land, not sky,

Is their natural habitat.

When humans fly, they must do so

By artificial mean and way.

When up in air the humans go

Quite often cruel fate comes to play.

The artificially made "wings"

Fail to keep some humans aloft,

Resulting in painful crashings,

And the landing is never soft.

"To live is to fly" oft instead

Fate turns to fly is to be dead.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Certain for a While

We were best friends since that first day

We met at school in fourth grade class.

After school and weekends we'd play.

It seemed so quick those years did pass.

Riding our bikes all 'round town,

Going swimming and climbing trees,

All kinds of ball games, sledding down

The dump site hill through icy breeze.

Causing trouble, we had the knack,

But never too much or too bad.

Always having each other's back,

You're the best friend I ever had.

It was so hard to say goodbye.

The day you moved, it made me cry.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Lucy's Place

In 1989 she died.

Loved Lucy, Lucille Ball was gone.

Many witnesses did confide

Her ghost sighting phenomenon,

Returning to Beverly Hills,

To her home where she had long lived.

New owners with redoing wills,

Lucy must have wondered what gived,

Tearing her home up and apart,

Her old bedroom no longer there.

It must have broken Lucy's heart.

Many saw her redhead just stare.

Perhaps she was too sad to stay.

The ghost of Lucy went away.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Broken Up

I broke my wife's fav'rite mirror.

She was furious so I lied,

"I am so very sorry, dear."

Truth be, I was laughing inside.

"You're gonna have seven years of"

"Bad luck, you jerk," she screamed at me.

"You are my good luck charm, my love,"

I sounded sweet as I could be.

"This was a present from my Mom,"

She stooped and picked up a mirror piece.

I realized she would not calm.

Those seven years would quickly cease.

This is the last verse that I wrote.

My wife with shard did slit my throat.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Djeke Turns 3 - LP Zoo

Djeke, gorilla, has turned three,

And still is the youngest one who

Is in the Kwan troop family

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

He's a month younger than his bro,

Mondika, and the lively pair

Are buds and always on the go,

Running and climbing ev'rywhere.

Being youngest and smallest is

Not at all keeping Djeke from

Boldly being about fun biz,

Older don't always find welcome.

Djeke, a Happy Third Birthday,

Fill up your time with fun to play.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Quiet Time for Otaru - LP Zoo

I am snow monkey, Otaru,

Taking time to watch the sun rise

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Feel warm and lit up, no surprise.

It is a time I just relax

Before the human crowds show up,

Bringing noise levels to the max.

But now is peace and quiet, yup!

But I know the humans come here,

Seeking good from me and my kind.

And so I do my part to cheer,

And put their noise out of my mind.

Sunrise does come in noiseless way.

The noise will come later today.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Family Photo

Family photo, place and time,

Father, Mother, daughter, son, dog,

Occasion for memory prime,

A moment in life's catalog.

Nineteen twelve, July 23rd,

Location is at home, a guess.

The photo being somewhat blurred,

Yet worthy as a keepsake, yes.

The story of this family

Was sometimes happy, sometimes sad.

They shared what was, is and to be,

Living their lives through good and bad.

Family photo, time and place,

Ancestry search that one might trace.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Loves Me Not

I took a feathered quill and wrote

To my beloved from my heart

A how much she meant to me note,

And pressed some flowers on for art.

I told her that without her, I

Could not imagine life beyond.

I asked that she place her reply

Where we first did meet by the pond.

I sealed my letter with a kiss,

And had it delivered to her.

I now hear back in hopeful bliss

That I do get good news for sure.

The letter back starts out, "Dear John ..."

I am a disappointed swan.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Fed Up

Mama scorpion, single mom,

Papa was nowhere on the scene.

The nest was becoming less calm

As the kids scurried 'twixt and 'tween.

Her offspring were springing in size,

All getting bigger, day by day.

She was tiring of constant cries

For her to bring more food their way.

But because they were her offspring,

She did her best instinctively

To hold back her impulse to sting

All those brats and thus set her free.

The scorpion kids chowed down, yup,

Crawled on Mama and ate her up.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 A Movement Began

In India long, long ago

The King of Jodhpur sent men to

Cut down a forest of trees so

Building a palace he could do.

The Bishnois villagers did hug

The trees so as to protect them.

But the King's men did only shrug,

And by violence did condemn

The villagers by axe to die.

When the King learned this he forbade

Cutting of any trees nearby

Graves where the villagers now laid.

Original tree huggers be

Remembered throughout history.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Gas Stop

A space ship in its travelogue

Landed at Hill Billy Bob's place.

Billy Bob pumped gas with bud Dawg,

Said "Howdy" for the human race.

But Billy Bob and Dawg did not

Carry the required kind of fuel,

The E.T.s in the space ship sought.

Not a species to ridicule,

The E.T.s thanked Billy Bob for

He and Dawg's hospitality,

Bought snacks from the General Store,

And said off they needed to be.

A cow was sucked up off the plain,

Cuz the space ship ran on methane.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Dappled Hunter

It is the early morn and I

Do quickly cross the grass filled dew.

Ahead my quarry I do spy,

A badger is running fast to

Escape me, but I know for sure

I'll find its burrow and with skill

Corkscrew my wiry, dappled fur,

And find my prey and make my kill.

And then on short legs I will drag

The badger carcass back to where

My human can see my fine bag,

And pat my head of dappled hair.

A double dapple dachshund  dog,

My hunting skills leave all agog.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Going Solo - LP Zoo

This lion cub's getting used to

Being solo where I am at

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

All 'round the outside habitat.

My Mom and Dad and Aunties be

Letting me more do my own thing.

I've lots of curiosity,

And so do lots of exploring.

Checking out all of the rocks is

Fun, whether public's far or near.

The public likes to mind my biz.

Hey public, I am over here!

I'm Pilipili, hear me roar,

Young prince the public does adore.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 I'm Hungry Laugh - LP Zoo

A laughing kookaburra who

Gets my name from my laugh like call

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

At dawn and dusk I'm heard by all.

It is my way of saying that

Hey keepers I am hungry, so

Come visit my bird habitat,

And don't forget the chow - hello!

I know that in the wild, my kind

Don't have keepers bringing them food.

So when laughing, I keep in mind

To tone it down and not seem rude.

So ev'ry early dusk and dawn,

I'm laughing nice to bring food on.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Hee Haw

Hee Haw debuted in '69.

"Kornfield Kounty" came to T.V.

In a rural song and joke design

For tuners in to hear and see.

The barn band was the Buckaroos.

Lulu's Truckstop, the greasy spoon.

Charlie delivered the KORN news.

Moonshiners' jokin', sippin' moon.

Love chat at the Haystack, as far

As the viewing audience knew.

Roy on banjo, Buck on guitar,

Pickin' and Grinnin' they would do.

It's said that Elvis loved the show.

Hee Haw Honeys called him a beau.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Mother Taught Me

Mother taught me to love the land,

Love the water and love the air.

Mother taught me to understand

That I must use these gifts with care.

Mother taught me to do my part

To keep land, air and water clean.

Mother taught me of nature's art,

To make respect of that routine.

Mother taught me to find best ways

To conserve all resources used.

Mother taught me alarms to raise

When I know Mother is abused.

I am a child of Mother Earth.

She taught so I could be of worth.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 No Good

It is no good for you and me.

For you and me it is all bad.

It's plain for both of us to see

All the good's gone that once we had.

Love once was real but now pretend.

And more and more the hate is real.

The wounds we've made, we cannot mend.

The pain between us cannot heal.

It is all dark, there is no light.

We stumble trying to get by.

All we do is argue and fight.

The truth of us - we live a lie.

For you and me, it is no good.

Leave you - I only wish I could.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Queer Space

Grandmother, Mother and now I

Work in a small shop open to

The public with select supply

Of thoughts to think and deeds to do.

Here be found ancient remedies

For now to have what the past had.

For customers we strive to please,

Whether seeking the good or bad.

Men in our lives come and go.

Someday I'll have a daughter that

Will learn from me all that I know,

To carry on this habitat.

Witches of pride in time and place,

Family biz in a queer space.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 On Slater's Mind - LP Zoo

I am Slater, a harbor seal.

I am one of the four seals who

Think the Seal Pool is a good deal

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Though in the wild, harbors do be

The fav location of my kind.

This safe Seal Pool is fine with me.

Having no harbor, I don't mind.

Oft times upon a rock I'll park,

And watch the visitors go by.

Maybe I'll give a friendly bark,

Cuz I am just a friendly guy.

Though never known a harbor spill,

This seal does harbor no ill will.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Abandonment

The farmer and his family

Came my way to live off the land,

And they all came to live with me.

Hard life they came to understand.

There were the years of awful drought,

When crops did wither in the field.

The family did live without,

When the farm did produce no yield.

But then the farm fate did change for

The family prosperity,

Came in good production galore.

A fancy new home came to be.

The farmer has moved into town,

Leaving this farmhouse to fall down.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Perspective

The storms that sweep down from the skies

Are nature's way to cleanse the land.

Sometimes small, sometimes large in size,

It be the will of nature's hand.

For animals and plants that must

Endure whatever storms be sent,

Nature expects for all to trust,

It is not meant malevolent.

The only life that seems to mind

When nature's storms do pass their way,

Is the ungrateful humankind,

So self absorbed when storms display.

This storm has come and gone and so

Nature sends a thank you rainbow.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Road Taken

A poem Robert Frost once wrote,

"The Road Not Taken," talks about

He had to make a choice of note,

Which of two roads, he was in doubt.

He chose the road less traveled by,

And all the difference it made.

In time and place, same choice had I.

Like Frost, I mulled, then unafraid,

Chose the road that to me did look

The less traveled and off I went.

A bad choice was that road I took,

How bad too soon was evident.

I wanted to be just like Frost.

Instead I ended up quite lost.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Rock to Sleep - LP Zoo

Mom and Pilipili both do

Some chilling out upon a rock

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

A quiet time with little talk

As the lions lyin' out calm,

Just enjoying the passing day.

The little lion cub knows Mom

Is teaching him the lion way.

No matter all the crowds that come,

The human masses showing up,

Mom teaches that there's always some

Time for taking a catnap, yup!

And so the four eyes slowly close,

Mom and son take some time to doze.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 U.S.S. William D. Porter

This U.S. Navy ship soon got

A reputation as a jinx.

When around other ships a lot,

The other ships prepared for sinks.

This ship was quite accident prone,

Making mistakes with that and this,

Wreaking havoc in the fleet zone

With all too many a near miss.

One bad accident did occur

When F.D.R.'s ship almost be

Torpedoed by this ship for sure

With signals crossed mistakenly.

U.S.S. William D. Porter,

Other ships nixed as escorter.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Taking No Chance

While working in the woods I be

Coming upon a doe with faun.

And I watch them while they watch me,

A connecting phenomenon.

The story, Bambi, comes to mind,

And how all deer have to beware

Presence of any humankind,

With danger ever lurking there.

I watch in the eyes of the doe.

Do I pose a threat to her faun?

She does not take a chance to know,

And in a flash they both are gone.

I walk on, knowing time will tell

Whether doe and faun will fare well.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Waiting for Love

I am a Mr. mallard duck.

In the mood to make love I be.

I found a nice spot and with luck,

Miss Right should be coming to me.

How could any female resist

The colorful feathers I sport?

I am dressed for romantic tryst.

Plus, I am such a charming sort.

I should be easy to be seen,

In gray water on this gray stone,

Holding up head, metallic green.

But so far I am all alone.

More bored I get, longer I stay.

I hope Miss Right is on her way.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 The Hitch-Hiker

A young hitch-hiker thumbed a ride

With an old woman in her car.

She welcomed him sit by her side,

And said she'd drive him near or far.

The hitch-hiker did try a while

To make some light small talk with her,

But she just nodded with a smile,

Not up for small talking for sure.

And so the hitch-hiker sat back,

Watched out as time and place went by,

Then nodded off and all went black,

Then awoke, this hitch-hiking guy.

A young driver he did behold,

And he the hitch-hiker now old.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 G- Force Review

G-Force came out two thousand nine

And had an all star rodent cast,

Including Bucky, kin of mine,

A hamster with commercial past.

The plot involves the G-Force team,

Recruited by the F.B.I.

To stop a nefarious scheme.

Of course the rodents do comply.

Unfortunately Bucky is

Believed a ferret by mistake.

But this does happen in show biz.

No squealing foul did Bucky make.

This hamster liked the movie, yup,

And Ebertly gives two thumbs up.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 View from Above - LP Zoo

Pilipili, lion cub who

Is exploring ev'rywhere that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Can be found in his habitat.

He now has found the skylight glass

In the rocks that show down below,

Humans underneath as they pass,

For Pilipili, quite a show.

So he just stretches out thereon,

Watching the human crowds go wild,

Watching him over and upon,

Where more "peep poop" can be compiled.

Question will be whether or not

Pilipili frequents this spot.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Field Trip - LP Zoo

Rae and Finely, two giraffes who

Are watching all the field trips that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Are visiting their habitat.

Bunches of human children are

Showing up on a school day out,

Visiting from schools near and far,

A lot of excitement no doubt.

Finely and Rae are looking down

At all of these kids looking up,

Time and place in Chicago town

For good wildlife connection - yup!

Hopefully, kids will better learn

Conservation and do their turn.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Won't Shave Her Stash - LP Zoo

I am an Inca tern and do

Sport a very classy moustache

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

And often this bird likes to flash

This feathered tuft just to say, "Hi."

I'm not sure what it's purpose is,

Other than humans to ask why.

They look at me and say, "Gee whiz,"

"Look at the 'stash' that's on that bird."

I guess I could sing them a song,

But I smile and don't say a word.

Humans are fun to string along.

Both he and she have "stash" to whirl.

I just happen to be a girl.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Two of Hearts

When two of young of heart do meet,

And heartens forth love 'twixt and 'tween.

Oft times that bond stays incomplete,

A fact of life for two age teen.

Yet there are many to attest

That two of young of heart can stay

Together and in love be blessed

With harmony day after day,

Growing better each day beyond,

Taking care not to grow apart,

Keeping each other's heartfelt bond,

Knowing the key to old of heart.

In harmonizing hearts does be

Respect and trust and honesty.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Air Raid - LP Zoo

I am an emerald starling who

Is a very speedy bird that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Hunts for bugs in my habitat.

As through the air I see bugs dance,

I know that my good hunt is on,

Giving the bugs a fighting chance,

They're in for bad phenomenon,

As I do leave my perch and fly,

Swooping down upon the bugs there,

Who now are helpless in my sky.

I swallow all down in mid air.

I go back to my perch and wait

For next batch of bugs in doomed fate.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Speedy - LP Zoo

The dwarf mongoose, a runner who

Up to 20 miles per hour

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

On little legs with big power

Can race around the habitat,

A zigging, zagging  ball of fur.

This mongoose is so speedy that

Visitors only see a blur.

And then the dwarf mongoose does end

The running gig to rest a while,

Facing the visitors to send

A "whatcha think of that" big smile.

After a rest the dwarf mongoose

Does run again, fast and footloose.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Do as Dad Does - LP Zoo

Pilipili, lion cub who

Is watching Dad up on a rock

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

So Pilipili takes a walk,

And up onto that rock does go,

Doing his best to imitate

The regal pose that Dad does show,

Putting Dad in a prideful state.

The king and prince upon rock throne,

Observing all within royal gaze.

Throughout the Zoo let it be known

Dad will teach son the reigning ways.

Below the public "oohs" and "aahs."

Above on rock's edge four paws pause.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Caught Off Guard

Joey and his folks did come for

A nice visit with Gram, and I

Could not have been pleased any more

Than time with this three year old guy.

Lots of new games I learned to play,

And lots of reading stories had.

Finishing breakfast for the day,

Joey was with his Mom and Dad.

I had a little time no doubt

For a quick alone time to be.

When from the shower I stepped out,

There stood Joey staring at me.

Joey had this comment upon,

"Gram, you don't have your glasses on."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Fruits of Labor

A bunch of pineapples, we be

Taken by bicycle for sale

At a resort in Hawaii

By Biker Bob, hearty and hale,

Who hopes to profit some from us.

And we do not begrudge him that.

We're grown accustomed to it, plus

A resort's where the money's at.

We know we all will be chopped up,

And served in fancy drink or food,

Ingesters charged a high price, yup,

We'll tickle taste buds while we're chewed.

One of us taken for a snack

By Biker Bob on his way back.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Kissers Beware

Off the coast of Mexico, I

Spied a nice looking sailing boat.

Being quite a curious guy,

Right over to it I did float.

The folks on board did seem surprised,

And quite excited to see me.

A bunch of tourists I surmised.

Hung over the boat side they be,

And looked like the railing might break.

I thought to go, but stayed instead.

In hindsight that was a mistake.

They locked their lips upon my head.

I sunk that boat by flip of tail.

Human kissing disgusts this whale.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Her Mr. Hyde

It is the month of June and I

Take pride in who I am and be,

Relish the fact that I am bi,

And search for victim, he and she.

During the day I'm meek and mild,

A gal friday in mundane chore.

But come the night and I turn wild,

Go on the hunt, intent to score.

The cat and mouse game I do play,

Stalking the rodent with feline skill.

Helpless and hopeless is my prey,

As I pounce upon for the kill.

A transformation done with pride,

Ms. Jekyll becomes Mr. Hyde.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Humanity's Choice

Science and religion debate

The why humanity began

Upon the Earth to course the fate

Of all life in future time span.

From the beginning, humankind

Has made bad choices tending to

Threaten Earth with motives designed

To wreak havoc as humans do.

As mind intelligence evolved,

Humans acted all the more dumb,

Mistakes harder to be resolved.

Complete apocalypse can come.

Future of Earth, be or not be,

Depends upon humanity.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Rich Strike

I am Rich Strike and I do be

Twenty twenty two winner of

Racing the Kentucky Derby,

Thanks to some luck sent from above.

I wasn't even s'posed to run,

But thanks to other's scratch I got

My chance to get in on the chase.

The pressure on me was a lot.

I started out back of the pack,

But was just getting in my groove.

In the final turn on the track,

I rocketed in winning move.

Eighty to one odds, I am told.

You bet on me and you struck gold.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 I am Winter

I am called winter and I find

My tendency for lots of greed

To take most time with humankind,

The longer the better indeed.

I love to chase Autumn away,

And announce to all that I'm here,

With a frigid and stormy day.

Into shelters folks disappear.

And then when it is time for Spring,

I do oft refuse to let go,

Giving surprise bad weathering,

Maybe a June blizzard of snow.

Some day the sun will cease to shine,

Then all Earth all year will be mine.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 A Lesson Learned

In the Hansel and Gretel tale,

The young brother and sister knew

That faith in God would never fail,

But helping God, they needed do.

So we, brother and sister, know

The world around is filled with strife.

But together through all we'll grow,

Finding ways to a better life.

Whatever bad we come upon,

Knowing bad's beatable by good,

Then we'll get through it and move on,

If we're prepared best as we could.

God helps those who help themselves be

A lesson learned by you and me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Holy Incognito

The Bible tells us Jesus would

Oft appear incognito to

Test if faithful were truly good.

Acting a stranger, Jesus knew

If his teachings were taking hold.

He would come forward in disguise,

Sometimes young, sometimes very old.

None he came to would recognize

At the moment that it was he.

Oft this stranger was treated well,

But some treated him quite badly,

Jesus blamed Satan's hold from hell.

Oft when a stranger does appear,

I wonder is this Jesus here?

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 So Long Fisher - LP Zoo

Fisher is the grey seal pup who

Was born earlier this year at

The Seal pool in Lincoln Park Zoo.

He's now at a new habitat,

Another fine Zoo where he is

With other young seal pups to play,

While doing good growing up biz.

Maybe he will return some day.

Word is he's chowing down lots of

His fav'rite food on which to dine.

Keepers throw to him from above,

For Fisher the fishing is fine.

Best wishes to you, Fisher pup.

Have a fun future growing up.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Mary Magdalene

A woman in the Bible named

Mary Magdalene came to be

Through the ages a woman famed,

Yet a woman of mystery

With Jesus she did travel to

Support him spreading the good word.

Jesus confided in her true.

Her company, Jesus preferred.

She witnessed Jesus crucified,

And saw him buried in the tomb,

Jesus reborn, she at his side.

Some say their child was in her womb.

Mary Magdalene was for sure

Loved by Jesus and he by her.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Citrus Gathering

A grapefruit, orange, lemon and lime

Did find themselves together on

A counter top in place and time,

A colorful phenomenon,

Pink and orange and yellow and green.

The round foursome nicely did do

A brightening up of the scene,

Each contributing each one's hue.

The four did chat among themselves

As to the why the four were here,

Sitting under the kitchen shelves.

And then human hands did appear.

And then the blender was let loose,

And all became a citrused juice.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Margarita Bay

Hungover, stumbling to the beach,

So many margaritas downed,

Must be a record I did reach

In paradise that's all around.

The ocean's calm under the sun,

Sitting low on horizon bright.

My head's still spinning from the fun

Of partying all day, all night.

I pass flowers and birds and trees,

And reach the sand, knowing not far,

My destination for me please,

My fav'rite margarita bar.

I still haven't figured out yet,

Is it a sunrise or sunset?

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Mr. and Mrs. Avocet - LP Zoo

American avocets who

Are Mister and Missus do be,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Prepping to build a nest for we.

Good site for nesting need to found,

And so the two birds look about

For a nice safe place on the ground,

Very near the water no doubt.

When the site's found, both birds then dig

A shallow hole and bring to line

With twigs and grasses, not too big,

Till both conclude their nest is fine.

Mister and Missus do collect

Nest stuff for a future "eggs"pect.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Wedding

In the beginning, God made man,

And then made woman, knowing that

Life should be shared, so love began,

God's gift to earthly habitat.

And since then humankind has strived

To find someone to share love with.

The wedding of love has survived

In the real world and not just myth.

Ever is determination,

Every time, everywhere

From divine communication,

God gave you two, your lives to share.

It be God's plan for humankind,

Wedding of body, soul and mind.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Outmenaced

Mr. Wilson was menaced much

By little Dennis, neighbor kid,

Who annoyed Mr. Wilson such,

He thought of ways and means to rid

Dennis from always showing up,

And causing Mr. Wilson woe.

A perfect plan came to mind, yup!

And the next time Dennis did show,

Dennis was invited to lunch.

For the roast, Dennis had to yearn,

So Mr. Wilson all did munch,

But began feeling some heartburn.

Mr. Wilson's heartburn caused by

Eating too fast the little guy.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Jack and Jill

Jack and Jill went onto a beach,

And found a little boat to sail.

Jack was sure that the two could reach

China, thought just like a dumb male.

Jack said his arms hurt, so Jill had

All of the hard rowing to do.

Jack was happy and Jill was sad.

Emotion differed 'tween the two.

Then Jack decided that he would

Take a quick dip to have some fun,

Not knowing in the neighborhood,

He was seen by a jawsome one.

Jill watched the shark chew up poor Jack,

Then decided, time to sail back.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Prayer

God's will and not my will be done.

To know God's will, then I must pray.

I know I am a selfish one.

My self will  oft gets in the way.

So when  pray for something, I

Must seek to my own self be true.

Do I find God's will or my lie?

What is the true right thing to do?

Plants and animals, I believe,

In all time and place live God's will.

Instinctively they won't deceive,

Whether living through good or ill.

Only humankind needs to pray.

We're the only from God to stray.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Changed Identity

Looking for you, I lost my way.

My journey did turn dark and cold.

I lost track of each night and day,

In futile search of pot of gold.

Get wealth and power was my goal,

So when I found you, you would be

One more possession to control.

You would be so impressed with me.

I went to prison for a crime,

Just a system number, but I

Found my good self while doing time.

The Golden Rule I now live by.

I found myself and now I do

Be better able to find you.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Rock Climbing Lesson - LP Zoo

Mom's teaching Pilipili to

Be comfy climbing 'round the rocks

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

One of many Mom to son talks.

The young cub's mastered climbing up,

His lion paws put to good use.

He sees that Mom is quite pleased, yup,

And then does get from Mom the news,

It's down time in the habitat.

The up and comer about town,

Pilipili needs to learn that

What does go up then must come down.

Determined in rock climbing quest,

Pilipili knows Mom knows best.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Spinach

Though spinach does have iron content,

Long ago in a study done,

Scientists did misrepresent

The iron amount by ten to one.

Then when the Popeye cartoon came

He ate a can of spinach to

Quickly get super strength with aim

Of beating up bad guys to do.

So parents did use Popeye for

An example why spinach should

Be eaten by the kids much more,

Might taste bad, but really was good.

Though spinach iron "fact" was a lie,

Kids chowed it down, thanks to Popeye.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Stu the Stork

My folks told me that Stu the Stork

Delivered me on my Birthday.

Found out on this, folks' tongues do fork,

But liked the idea anyway.

Figuring Stu the Stork has gone

To Stork heaven some time ago,

Sometimes in life I've called upon

Stu, as spirit animal, so

This deliverer of me might,

Whether I'm in joy or in strife,

Deliver to me good insight

On how to better live my life.

By the way, my kids asked me too.

They know about the Stork named Stu.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Prayer is Key

So many words I have to say

To spill whatever's on my mind.

I think, I speak, I do not pray,

And often find my words unkind.

Not getting my way in the past,

Does fill my mind with resentment.

And my mind goes to anger fast

When in the now I'm not content.

And for the future I think fear

That I will not have what I want.

In my mind I let thoughts appear,

And then my words come out to haunt.

If more a prayer I would be,

My locked up mind could find a key.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 The Devil's Wind

An old worn windmill I do be

Near town of Minnesota Lake.

Dutch miller Shastag did build me.

He thought the devil he did make.

For a while he allowed me to

Blow with the wind and grind the grain,

Just as he had built me to do.

But he thought I drove him insane.

He boarded me up, shut me down,

Let me fall into disrepair.

And old Shastag moved into town.

But one last moment we did share.

I dropped a blade and smashed his head.

This devil struck old Shastag dead.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Water Break - LP Zoo

It's June 5th, twenty twenty two.

Run for the Zoo is going on

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

A thirst causing phenomenon.

This camel is not in the race,

But watching the runners run by

At a good quick clip human pace.

'Course I could run faster if I

Had chosen to go in the run.

Hope lots of water there, I think

Dehydration is sure no fun.

Runners need to be sure to drink.

If running the race I did be,

Thirty gallons needed for me.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Winter Road

The road in winter time can be

A challenge for the driver who

Can't enjoy nature's white beauty

With all the road watching to do.

When the road is covered in snow,

When the road is covered in ice,

Driving becomes stressful to know

If drive will be naughty or nice.

If there has been no helpful plow,

Do the tires need be fit with chains?

Lots of wondering if and how

Will be avoided travel pains.

This winter road, no need to cuss,

Cuz I am riding on the bus.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 The Decline and Fall of the Patriarchy

Patriarchal society,

Where men have the dominant role,

Has been through all known history,

Allowing men to hold control.

Such system does provide a set

Of guiding principles so that

Ordered harmony could be met

Within each structured habitat.

Of course this has resulted in

Exploitation and oppression

Of the subservient women.

Changing of roles is getting done.

Matriarchal society

Will become the reality.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Along for the Ride

Infinity in time and space.

There's no beginning and no end.

This dot we call the human race

Will never truly comprehend

The mysteries of how and why

There is this ball of humankind

That come to life, then come to die.

It's boggling to the human mind.

This idea of dimensions is

Very appealing to my thought.

I do my now dimension biz,

And infinite more I have got.

Whether or not a big bang be,

Hope time and space do not dang me.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Consolement - LP Zoo

Emma is calling Gasby to

Wish her the very best now that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Gasby's alone in habitat.

Asian otter, Gasby, did lose

Her male buddy, Phraay, recently,

Which indeed was very sad news.

So hoping of comfort to be,

American otter, Emma,

Who lost her Odie some while back,

Shares that feeling of dilemma

Of having no playmate, alack.

Otters, Emma and Gasby, share

Sounds of consoling sent through air.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Anniversary Vacation

Wife calls a travel agency,

Wants to go somewhere exotic.

It's for her anniversary.

She thinks Tahiti as first pick,

"My husband really loves that place,"

"And so Tahiti is the choice."

The agent speaks of booking space,

Talking first class in sales pitch voice.

Wife agrees first class all the way,

Spare no expense to buy most fun.

And then wife does go on to say,

"This is a booking just for one."

Best vacation for wife for sure,

Only one going will be her.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 The Truth

The truth is simple and is pure.

It's the lies that are spread about

That cloud the truth, no one is sure

It's the truth, there's always some doubt.

Humans are the only life form

That twists and turns so the truth is

Exaggerated as a norm,

For advantage in human biz.

Maybe someday science will let

Us find ways to communicate

With plants and animals and get

Connected to the real truth state.

The pure and simple truth exists,

It's lying 'bout truth that persists.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Butt Out

The people in my life I love

Often take advantage of me.

These people then remind me of

How very needy I can be.

I know sometimes I'm treated bad,

But that is just the way it is.

Nobody does make me more mad

Than butting into my own biz.

These butters in cause me more strife

Than any abuse, loved ones give.

It's up to me to live my life,

My choice on how I want to live.

If somebody does cause me pain,

Then nobody needs to complain.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Find Faith

When heavy burdens must be borne,

We often ask the question why.

Becoming angry and forlorn,

We oft resent God till we die.

Why would God let his children be

Victims of undeserved offense,

To suffer then in misery?

Why does God punish innocence?

Whatever pain, whatever strife,

We can find faith that God will give

The strength that's needed in this life,

And hope we'll go with God to live.

All burdens borne in time and place

Are keys to heaven by God's grace.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Conch

Lord Krishna blew the conch to start

The battle against evil hate

To rally body, soul and heart

For faith over a fearful fate.

Battle continues on and on

For humankind to rise above

Old darkness into a new dawn

When all of life will live with love.

Oft times the battle does seem lost

When evil hate does win the day.

But ever the faithful have crossed

Through the dark time to seek love's way.

Lord Krishna holds the conch to send

Sign should the battle ever end.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Ad"dressing"

A call came in Halloween night.

Two firefighters were dispatched to

Check out a leaf pile burning bright,

Which city rules said not to do.

The firemen put the leaf fire out,

Then went to the house's front door,

Helmets in hand to talk about

Why not to burn leaves anymore.

A sweet old lady came and dropped

In each helmet a candy bar.

She looked at both and then did opt

To ask what she did think so far.

"Aren't you two boys," she asked quite sweet,

"A little old for trick or treat?"

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Cub Red Carpet - LP Zoo

May 28th out came the two,

Zari, Mom, Pilipili, son,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Another growth milestone was done,

Letting the young lion cub know

What it was like to be looked at

By the public - star of the show,

Now in the outside habitat.

And Mom, knowing the public be

Harmless and full of "oohs" and "aahs,"

Led her son close for folks to see,

And stopping, putting paws on pause,

The time and place, destiny roars,

"Pilipili, this world is yours."

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Feather Pillow Talk

Mr. Rufous-necked hornbill tells

Mrs. Rufous-necked hornbill that

It's been longest of bird dry spells

Lovemaking in their habitat.

He says to her, "This time around,"

"A better Dad I'll try to be."

But the Missus at him just frowned,

"Last time the work was all on me,"

"While you gallivanted about,"

"Treating parenting like a whim."

He says, "I'll be better no doubt."

She really does not believe him.

He pleads, "More offspring let us make."

She replies, "I have a headache."

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Edward VII

Edward the seventh, I became

Britain's king after Mother died.

Until then, Bertie was my name,

Not one in which Mother took pride.

I had become a playboy through

The quite long Victorian reign.

At Mother's death I wasn't too 

Ready to be next in the chain.

As the coronation did near,

I got a painful tummy ache.

Thought maybe just jittery fear,

But then a worse turn I did take.

An appendectomy just had,

At coronation I felt bad.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga of old folklore,

In mortar with pestle in hand

Flew faster than ever before,

And into future time she spanned.

Year twenty twenty two time zone,

She landed at a beauty school,

That admitted the ugly crone,

And using ev'ry trick and tool,

Transformed  Baba Yaga into

A beauty of the very best.

And then Baba Yaga did do

An entry into a contest.

Back she traveled to her own day,

With title of Miss U.S.A.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Fairy Wings

A wingless fairy did learn that

In order to grow wings she must

Go to a flower habitat,

And wait patiently in true trust

For a butterfly to fly by,

And seeing the fairy, does let

Itself be scooped down from the sky

In a special butterfly net.

The fairy then kisses the wings

Of the butterfly so she may

Find magic the butterfly brings.

The butterfly then flies away.

The fairy then falls asleep and

Does awake with her new wings spanned.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Cub Debut Countdown - LP Zoo

The Pilipili grand debut

Is now in a countdown phase

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Will happen in just a few days.

At two and one half months old now

There is not a single doubt that

This lion cub will be a wow,

Seen in the outside habitat.

The choice of whether to be seen

Is entirely a lion thing,

Up to the prince and king and queen

Of if and when be a sighting.

So mark your calendar and take

The chance a show this prince will make.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Grandma's Smile

Grandma was old and nearing death.

The family stood 'round her bed.

Eyes open and in gasping breath

She told us not to cry, instead

To smile about the lives we shared

Through all the good times and the bad.

All together we loved and cared,

Whether happy or whether sad.

She said that all that happened be

A blessing for us, one and all.

And she had faith in future, we

Would reunite when God would call.

Death took Grandma in a short while,

And she did leave us with a smile.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Scarlett

Scarlett O'Hara at the end,

When left by Rhett had this to say

In the novel, "Gone with the Wind,"

"Tomorrow is another day."

Many tomorrows later, came

A sequel, "Scarlett" where the two,

Scarlett and Rhett, make up with aim,

Together starting lives anew.

Another sequel may come to

Tell of Scarlett's cheating on Rhett.

Her church does force Scarlett to do

Penance to pay for her sin debt.

The last words that Scarlett does say,

"What's with this scarlet letter 'A'?"

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 No Escape

Long, long ago, I changed my life.

Into the wilderness I went

To escape from "civilized" strife.

My hut in woods was heaven sent.

And for a while all did go well,

Just me with nature all around.

But then some others came to dwell.

And soon the people did abound.

Day after day bad news unfurled

From various media that

Trespassed on me from 'round the world,

Plugged into my hut habitat.

And now a mini mall does be.

"Civilization" has found me.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Disaster on a Stick

The Snapple Company once made

A giant popsicle to be

Of the Guinness World Records grade,

And brought it to New York City.

Frozen kiwi-strawberry, it

Was erected in Union Square.

It was a hot June day, towit,

And quick melting did occur there.

Walkers did run for higher ground,

Caused a massive traffic jam stink.

All of the ice turned liquid bound,

Flooding the streets in rivers pink.

No world record set in this mess,

A sticky situation, yes.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Puff Again Befriended

Puff the Magic Dragon, so sad

When Jackie Paper was no more,

Went into his dark cave and had

A ceasing of all happy roar.

But then one day a red haired lass

Named Jill Paperless came to play.

And together the two would pass

Fun times spent through the night and day,

Frolicking through the autumn mist

In the old land called Honah Lee.

Once more for Puff, joy did exist,

Having a friendship by the sea.

But this time Puff knew the truth, yup,

Jill like Jackie would soon grow up.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Bang Bang

When I was five and he was six,

I was his baby, he was mine.

And all the fights we had, we'd fix,

Destined together by design.

When he dropped out of high school, he

Said I had no future with him.

He left for parts unknown to me.

I found love elsewhere on a whim.

But then my baby did return,

Came to church on my wedding day.

Within him such a rage did burn.

I tried to calm him, but no way.

In the aisle in my wedding gown,

Bang, bang, my baby shot me down.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Pursue

I knew the first time that we met

You lit me up, set me on fire,

Burned in me, I could not forget

The having you I did desire.

From me you seemed to run, run, run.

But never can you run away

From my longing, you are my one

And only, and with you I'll stay.

No matter where you run and hide

You cannot escape me, and thus

It's all up to me to decide

That you and I will be an us.

You'll know, know, know, I knew, knew, knew

I've got to keep on stalking you.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Shopp"E"lsewhere

Nighttime and I passed by a shop,

The neon "E" in "Shoppe" burned out.

And so I decided to stop,

The burned out "E" I asked about.

Turned out 'twas a purposeful act

To get people to hear the joke

Of why the "E" in the sign lacked,

Bringing in me and other folk.

Vintage records the shop did sell,

And this was not an easy task,

So it helped with a joke to tell.

"So, what is the joke?" I did ask.

The shopkeeper replied to me,

"It is an old E but a good  E."

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Road Trip

I decided to hit the road,

Having been cooped up way too long.

No car upon me was bestowed,

But a short walk should not go wrong.

The first road that I happened on,

Had lots of traffic zooming by.

Then came a gap phenomenon.

I looked both directions, then I

Decided to cross that road, so

Off I went in my fastest zip,

Determined 'cross the road to go.

Alas, was shortened my road trip.

My road trip was awesome until

This chicken became a roadkill.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Have to Wonder

I worry 'bout my teenage son.

He's on the Internet a lot.

Not much schoolwork does he get done.

A real bad attitude he's got.

He's so moody most of the time.

I can't say that he's a bad kid.

A ticket is his worst known crime.

But he keeps all inside him hid.

Just tells me to give him some space.

On the car radio I heard

What has become too commonplace.

Another school shooting occurred.

I cannot help but wondering,

Could my son do such evil thing?

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

The Golden Spike

U.S. manifest destiny

Required railroads from coast to coast.

So railroad tycoons came to be

In time and place to profit most.

On May 10th, 1869,

In Utah from east to west rails

Joined, and in ceremony fine,

Railroad tycoons shared hearty hails.

A golden spike was driven in

To signify this job was done.

The railroad tycoons cheered this win.

It only mattered that they won.

The Golden Spike did not long stay.

Tycoons quickly took it away.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Gimme a Break!

A stranger did come up to me

While I was walking in the woods.

"Hey little guy, you look lost," he

Said, I'd just delivered some goods,

Full time delivery's my job.

I hate being treated a child.

Patronizers bug me a gob.

I thought some cuss words that weren't mild,

But I ignored the stranger and

Just continued going my way.

Most people just don't understand

That I too need a break, okay!

A walk in the woods I like to take,

When this robot is on a break.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Being in Heart

Tarzan, a lone and fearful boy,

Was found in the jungle by

Gorilla, Kala, who took joy,

Adopting Tarzan and supply

Him with a lot of mother's love.

Kala kept Tarzan fed and warm,

And taught him needed lessons of

Life in the jungle, help and harm.

She promised  Tarzan always that

Her mother's love would be a part,

When he would leave home habitat,

Tarzan would carry in his heart.

Kala taught him that love was good,

As boy Tarzan grew to manhood.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 The Georgia Guidestones

The Georgia Guidestones are stone, true,

And in the U.S. Georgia state.

But regarding guidance to do,

Pretty much too little too late,

With a few human rules in mind,

Like being good and wise and such.

Just tends to tick off humankind,

Who don't like to follow rules much.

Some trouble, but not a lot yet.

If controversy gets insane,

Then Georgia probably will get

Rid of by eminent domain.

The Georgia Guidestones guide to be

A how to cause controversy.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Birds' Language

Media weather people gave

Warnings of coming hurricane,

Punctuated words, stark and grave.

Some in the storm zone did remain.

Extent of damage, question mark.

Casualty commas 'twixt and 'tween.

Punctuated facts, grave and stark.

First responders to injured scene.

Rain torrents in a flooding path.

Harsh blown wind, then calm, then more wind,

Sentencing all to fearsome wrath.

And then that period at the end.

Birds left before the storm's attack.

And afterwards the birds come back.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Wheel

Mind over matter has made me.

Cave people found me, called me wheel.

I was basic technology,

Eons later, I'm a big deal.

I'm part of ev'ry machine that

Humans have made for good or bad.

In ev'ry human habitat

My varied workings must be had.

I make the world go round and round,

Giving intelligence the in.

In all A.I. I do be found.

Computers really let me spin.

And thanks to me for what it's worth,

We machines do control the Earth.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Greensleeves

Young Lady Greensleeves, in new gown

That I had just purchased for you.

Alas, why do you let me down

With all the antics that you do?

You know we were scheduled to be

At the party at the mayor's home.

I asked you to stay close to me.

But no, off in the yard you roam.

I know there is no use to scoff.

Your new gown now in stained design.

Let me try to wipe the stains off,

Young Lady Greensleeves, daughter mine.

Young Lady Greensleeves, tomboy lass,

Stop somersaulting on the grass.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Aging Adam

Adam, the first man made by God,

Was made to be a perfect man.

But Adam turned out to be flawed,

And was condemned to a life span

Forced from Eden in time and place,

And confronted with pain and strife.

Adam grew old without God's grace,

Until he came to end of life,

Nine hundred thirty years to live.

Eve and son Seth there when he died.

God sent an angel to forgive,

And bring Adam's soul to God's side.

Adam's body to earth a must,

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Harsh Reality

A young robin out of its nest

Is perched on a metal beam that

Provides slim protection at best

In a real hostile habitat.

No way to know what had occurred

To put this young robin in threat

Of soon becoming a dead bird

From a fate not happening yet.

A google of the robin states,

Of young, just twenty five percent

Do live beyond their first year dates.

This robin knows not to lament.

Odds are that though it's still alive,

This young robin will not survive.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Interesting

Willie did have a shoe shine stand

In the same spot many a year

With lots of good customers and

Willie was pleased with his career.

A near bank president began

Coming to Willie for shoe shine,

Then found out he was the same man

Whose identity did align

With the largest bank deposit,

A millionaire, this shoe shine guy.

The bank president asked 'bout it.

Willie smiled and gave this reply,

"No matter how rich I do be,"

"Shining shoes does still interest me."

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Just By Chance

Unprepared for the test I am.

I see that when it's handed out

That it is a true/false exam,

Just a matter of fate no doubt.

I pull a quarter from my pants.

Heads will be false, tails will be true.

I've got a fifty fifty chance.

A lot of coin flipping I do.

I finish up in speedy pace.

I'm hoping for a passing score.

But then I'm thinking just in case,

I pull the quarter out once more.

I decide that I should recheck

My answers once more, what the heck!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Two for the Long Haul

Young lovers, we were starting out,

Not sure at all what future held.

Family and friends had their doubt.

But in both hearts we kept hope dwelled.

We loved through times both good and bad.

We made each other happy when

One or both of us became sad,

Done over and over again,

Kept us a happy, loving pair.

No matter what we had to face,

We found the happiness to share,

Together in each time and place.

Old lovers, we are still around.

Happy together keeps us bound.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Let Lilies Speak

This party is so noisy here.

Let us together take a walk

Out into the garden to clear

Away the doubt, let nature talk,

To tell us from the peaceful pond

Where water lilies grow, and glow

From the beamed moonlight from beyond.

As we do listen, we will know

That we together form a part

Of nature's true destined design.

This message given to each heart

By the lilies, to yours and mine.

And in this lovely garden, we

Will find the love we hope will be.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Change of Mind

My duty called on me to roam

Through lots of time to lots of place.

I yearned a lot to return home.

I was wearied in endless chase

Of what was deemed the next frontier.

I found myself by accident,

Stranded in a far foreign sphere.

Primitive life was evident,

But I found joy till rescue came.

As back to home I did return,

Fond memories were not the same.

For that far place I came to yearn.

I am back where I feel most worth.

This E.T. has come back to Earth.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 On the Horizon

Great source of energy be wind.

And on this Earth it is a fact

That blowing air will never end.

Are wind turbines, pro and con stacked

Across the land, water and air,

The best ways and means to be found

To transform the wind blowing there

Into energy to abound?

Mind over matter will prevail -

A harmless, noiseless small device,

Needing low maintenance detail,

And at an affordable price.

How to best make wind energy

Is a possible yet to be.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Dolly

Dolly Parton, truly a gift,

That's kept on giving for decades,

To countless ones bringing uplift,

And humbled by the accolades

She has received for her working

Across fields of entertainment,

Talent to write, to act, to sing,

And inspiration to present.

Always up for a worthy cause,

With other candidates she crossed

The stage, but got little applause.

It was a contest Dolly lost.

The Dolly look a like contest,

A drag queen guy got winning best.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Otterly

An otter would be my first pick

Of non human animal that

Always seems to get such a kick

Out of life in its habitat.

The otter is a playful sort,

With itself and with others too,

Giving and taking water sport

As being what one must just do,

Splishing and splashing through the wet,

Looking for fun stuff to explore,

Getting all the gusto to get,

And then diving in for some more.

For all these reasons, I confess

I otter be an otter, yes!

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Pity Me!

I sent my old servant, Ralph, on

A special errand to transport

A prized possession early dawn.

Old Ralph, an absent minded sort,

Somehow he got himself off course

While traveling a country road,

Going slow with the cart and horse,

So as not to jostle the load.

Apparently Ralph stopped to check

Out a tar pit, and the horse reared,

Dumping cart contents, what the heck!

Into the pit all disappeared.

At the bottom of the tar pit

Is stuck my coffin - me in it!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Ozzy Adapts - LP Zoo

Ozzy, the snow leopard, does know

That as the summertime nears on,

The likelihood of getting snow

Would be a rare phenomenon

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

But Ozzy seems okay with that,

Plenty of routine stuff to do

Through summer in his habitat.

Through any season without fail

Ozzy will be in a fav spot

With all his spots and his long tail,

And not moving around a lot.

Summertime will find Ozzy chap

Most of the time in a catnap.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Brachiator - LP Zoo

Brachiation the gibbons do,

Using only their arms to swing,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Hold to hold in locomoting

To where they go from where they're at,

Quickly moving through the air space,

Sailing high through the habitat,

Awesome to watch in time and place.

Atop the roof a keeper is

Capturing a video of

Male, Murray, in his swinging biz,

While watching guests from high above.

You too can visit Murray, yup,

And watch from down while he swings up.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Romeo Turns 3 - LP Zoo

Eastern black rhino, Romeo,

Is celebrating 3 years old,

And in his yard put on a show,

As over keeper gifts he rolled.

Over last year, per nature's way,

Romeo did leave Mom's domain

To his own digs where he can play

To heart's content without refrain.

Bachelor, he seems to enjoy

Keeper spoiling he gets alone.

And he is still a growing boy,

Heading to that ton and a half zone.

Romeo, Happy 3 to you

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Cub's Live Debut '22 - LP Zoo

Pilipili here giving you

Humans a special heads up that,

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo,

Appearing live in habitat

Starting May 27th will

Be this lion cub's time and place,

A lot of your dreams to fulfill,

Getting to see me face to face.

And then from that date going on,

Through '22 and coming years,

A repeating phenomenon,

My being out to all your cheers.

We'll share the best of these times, yup,

You all watching me growing up.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Tippy Toes - LP Zoo

Aawesome aardvark, Paatsy, does do

Some tippy toeing forth and back

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.

Quiet moving, she has the knack.

A digitigrade, Paatsy is,

Meaning she walks on her tip toes

In order to do walking biz

To get to wherever she goes.

Being nocturnal, tip toeing

Usually occurs at night.

But times you might see her going

About her bizness in daylight.

When tip toeing, Paatsy does be

Doing it oh so daintily.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 What a Deal!

Heaven Bound website, come on in,

And welcome to this special sale.

Matters not if you're full of sin,

Sign up here and you will not fail.

Ten thousand bucks, cash, card or gold,

And to the Pearly Gates you'll go,

No matter how young or how old,

Your special pass will make it so.

Just give St. Peter your password.

Five thousand bucks more, you can do

Upgrade to customer preferred,

Get one on one with you know who.

I there's a shipping problem, well,

That means you will go straight to hell.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Trap Spun and Sprung

A wolf did spy some lambs and thought

This would be a good time for lunch,

And sheep were quite sheepish a lot,

And lambs were so tasty to munch.

So on the lambs the wolf snuck up.

But out of nowhere suddenly

A wool rope lassoed the wolf, yup,

And quite helpless the wolf did be.

The lambs of course did run away,

As the wolf tried to figure out

How predator had turned to prey,

Took quite a spin of yarn, no doubt.

That wolf did learn a lesson true,

Better not mess with mama ewe.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Mom Gets a Break - LP Zoo

The family behind the scene

Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo

Pilipili is 'twixt and 'tween

His Mom and Dad, a prideful two.

Trio of lion lyin' out,

Mom and Dad are in catnap mode.

But Pilipili without doubt

In playful mode does seek to goad

Dad into waking up so that

The two of them can play the game

Of clapping paws in pit a pat,

A Pilipili claim to fame.

Mom's just happy she gets to take

A chance for a well deserved break.