Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Murder Witness

Today, while walking home, I be

A witness to a murder real.

So quickly on to home went me,

Where of course I made a big deal

To all my family what I

Was witness to in broad daylight.

What should I do? They heard me cry,

Being a witness to such sight.

My family, they all agreed,

Go to police, they'd all be proud,

Doing my duty, yes indeed.

Then they witnessed me laugh out loud.

Of course my family now knows

This murder was a flock of crows.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 I Stand at the Edge

At the edge of the known I be,

Of my behavior in the past.

Standing in the moment is me,

As the future's unknown is cast.

I know I've been both wrong and right,

Balancing both these in my mind,

Accepting as in day and night,

The many differences I find.

And yes it took me quite a while

To sort through findings for my task,

Draw hope and courage from each pile,

And stand here now prepared to ask.

Some helplessness is felt in thought,

Will I be forgiven or not?

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 My Dark Red

When she first came upon my scene,

I was so happy that she came,

And felt a bonding 'twixt and 'tween,

Though she was wild and I was tame.

She knew I was nuts about her,

Give her what she wanted to please,

And make her feel comfy for sure.

Being near me, she felt at ease.

But now she's up and disappeared.

Sadly, I think of her so much.

It drives me crazy, makes me teared

That the two of us have lost touch.

I don't know how I can go on.

Dark Red, my favorite squirrel is gone!

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 My Rocking Chair

I loved my Grandma's rocking chair,

But being 3 and being small,

Not a good fit, lone, rocking there.

So Grandma gave a friend a call,

Who made a rocking chair just right

For me to rock my time away,

Giving me lots of pure delight.

Cousin Susie showed up one day,

And in my rocking chair did sit.

I flipped her out, and off I went

Upstairs to hide it, in a fit.

But tripped, and downstairs we both sent.

I was unharmed, Grandma was glad,

But my rocking chair, busted bad.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 My First Valentine

It was a warm Valentine's Day.

On my front porch I sat, when he

Came up the walk, heading my way.

I waved and he waved back to me.

When he got close, I saw him hold

A red Crayola in his hand.

Then he did something I thought bold,

A gift for me that he had planned.

So carefully he drew a heart

With the crayon on wrist of mine.

The two of us gazed at his art.

He gave me my first valentine.

We were neighbors, living next door,

When I was three and he was four.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

No Use for "u"

"I need u," over  and over

Are the words I conclude to be

The words from a long time rover.

When I hear "u," do you mean me?

Cuz "u" is certainly not my

Name, that hearing would mean much more,

If said from a someone who'd I

Figured had on one's mind to score

With me, but I guess I was wrong,

And such someone must just have aim

To be a stringing me along,

Not really caring what's my name.

My name "u' to lazy to spell,

So I tell "u" to go to hell.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 My Jubilation Arrived

It was a joint decision made

Between my husband and me to

Get pregnant, and both of us prayed.

My husband's task, easy to do.

But then the heavier load came

More and more over time on me.

And no doubt I often would claim

That this would last eternally.

Sympathy did come from my mate,

And finally that feeling strong.

To the hospital two weeks late,

And I did labor hard and long.

Jubilation came early morn,

When at last you, my daughter, born.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Past Porn Star

The 1980's, my decade,

A working gal, friends thought bizarre.

But a lot of money I made

In popular flicks, a porn star.

I was very lucky, I know,

As I did hop from bed to bed,

That sex disease did not bestow,

Making me sick, and maybe dead.

But I got out of that show biz,

Made a good life with family.

Sometimes on T.V. there still is

My past that comes back to haunt me.

So when the grandkids are with me,

I check first what's on the T.V.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Once Your Star

I know I was once your star, and

You always revolved around me.

But often fate happens unplanned,

And what was once now does not be.

Yes, I could be a light to make

Your gloomy shadows go away.

When you felt down, yes I could take

You up on any night and day.

But then I could no longer live

Up to your expectations high.

Perhaps in time you can forgive

My leaving you with no goodbye.

Sometimes, some places, mistakes are,

And I be one, your fallen star.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Just the Right Word

Miss Emily had heard it said,

Saying a word, she should beware

That once spoken, the word was dead.

So, Miss Emily took great care

Not to say a word, but to write

The word into a poem by her.

Of course the word had to be right

Before she wrote it down for sure.

Miss Emily asked fate to give

Her the right word that she would need,

Then that word would forever live

In Miss Emily's verse indeed.

Miss Emily's asking occurred,

I came to her, just the right word.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 On My Way My Love

It has been a long, lonely time

Since I have felt your loving touch.

So as quickly as I can, I'm

Hurrying back to you for such

Reuniting of soul and heart.

Yes, so slowly the time has gone

Since that moment we went apart.

But, soon we approach a new dawn,

My being yours, you being mine,

And our past love we will renew,

As upon us the sun will shine,

And God does speed me back to you.

My river's flowing to your sea,

Into your arms now coming me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Ducks on Call

Farmer Brown's cell phone did fall out

Of his pocket accidently.

Then some ducks were waddling about,

And very curious did be,

When in the field the phone they found.

They knew it was not any crop

That would be growing in the ground.

They poked to see if it would hop,

But it stayed still, but then did ring,

And a voice asked for Farmer Brown,

Who should be fixing their feeding,

And if late, the ducks would feel down.

In unison, the ducks did quack,

"Leave a message to be called back."

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Psalm 65-4

Many houses of worship, I

Have visited over my time,

In each of which I always try

To be respectful, because I'm

A guest and seeking to learn of

The varied ways that others may

Seek faith in Almighty God's love,

Which I do seek when I do pray.

God's loving will, I've often sought,

Anytime, any place I need,

Which happens every day a lot,

God guiding me in thought and deed.

In houses of worship I need not be.

Wherever I am, God is with me.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 My Vibe of My Tribe

Sole survivor of a crashed plane,

They found this infant and took me

Back to their high mountain domain,

Where for years, happy I did be.

They taught me how to hunt so that

Of starvation I would not die,

As some in this wild habitat.

When I was a teenage child, I

Was found by people hiking, and

Then taken from my mountain down

To world I could not understand.

I felt a prisoner in the town.

This human tribe is not mine, so

Back to my wolf tribe I now go.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Stranger to Me

I keep thinking it is so strange

That others get to know me and

They say that I had better change.

I cannot really understand,

Because I know myself so well,

Through all the ups and downs I've had.

I'm in best position to tell

That who I am is not so bad.

And I keep telling myself so,

Listening to the others not,

Because myself, I ought to know

Better than others, so I thought.

I know everything about me,

So why a stranger do I be?

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Baby Wren

Outside a baby wren I found.

It must have fallen from its nest,

And now was helpless on the ground.

I wasn't sure if worst or best,

But chose to take it home with me,

Where I did Google to find there

How a sub parent I could be,

In providing good food and care.

And over time I did okay.

The baby wren did grow and thrive,

And I was pleased that in my way,

That I had helped it to survive.

The baby wren I raised until

It flew, its future to fulfill.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Stroll Down Memory Lane

Yes, another Valentine's Day,

And off to brunch we two proceed,

Our favorite spot, just a short way,

Lovely day for a stroll indeed.

As we've celebrated before,

Again we're blessed this time and place,

We appreciate all the more.

Slowly we move, no cause to race.

Any walking, we need take care.

We know this outing's always fun.

So many years we've had to share,

You ninety and me ninety one.

You with walker and I with cane,

Together stroll the winding lane.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 My Messy Room

I can't remember when last out.

My Mom no longer comes to check.

She's given up, I have no doubt.

My room's a smelly, messy wreck.

It's hard to move about the place,

My maze of junk piled ceiling high.

Scrunched on my bed, I've still some space.

Compulsive hoarder, don't know why.

I'm compelled to hoard to the max,

Hang onto every that and this.

Creative artist with my stacks

Of garbage I've named My Abyss.

Someday my Mom will sadly assume

I'm a missing person in my room.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Ups and Downs of Sailing

At first a perfect sailing day,

Sunny and warm and a calm breeze.

So many sailboats made their way

Out in the sea waters to seize

Such an opportunity of

Fun, skill and camaraderie

Of sailing, a sport all did love.

But, the storm came up suddenly,

Caught at sea and on land off guard.

All sailboats tried to return to

Safe harbor, for all it was hard.

Nature could kill, all sailors knew.

Most sailboats made the safety sought,

Later, search for those that did not.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Devil Deals

Master of the art of the deal

Is the devil without compare.

Some humankind said to appeal

To the devil to give them share

Of power and money as goal,

Taken because of too much greed.

And in return give up their soul

To the devil, master indeed.

For the devil knows all earth is

Available, his deals to make.

The devil's free to mind his biz,

Due to deal made with heaven's sake.

Deals with the devil, none do tell,

For all have died and gone to hell.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Welcome Neighbors

It is again that time of year,

When they come to me for their task,

My neighbors from the cottage near.

Of course I don't require they ask,

Because I am content that I

Provide them with what I can give.

I have more than enough supply.

Good neighbor, I live and let live.

Baskets and wheelbarrows they bring,

Use ladder to reach my above.

Always gives me such good feeling

To share what I have, others love.

My neighbors now are in pursuit,

Picking this apple tree's ripe fruit.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Ambiguous Closeness

She and he, quite happily wed

For many years, with sharing of

Raising the kids and nights in bed,

A couple very much in love.

Family given lots of care,

Both he and she have goals the same.

The ups and downs of life they share,

A happy home, their common aim.

Both have careers which they pursue,

And often in same time and place,

Adversarial be the two,

On opposite sides of a case.

Prosecuting attorney, she,

And a defense attorney, he.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Back to Barn once Be

I had lived in that barn a while,

When O'Leary's cow one bad night

Kicked a lantern onto a pile

Of hay, suddenly fire did light.

I got out as fast as I could,

And headed north in journey till

Landed in a Wisconsin wood,

And survived on my hunting skill.

After a lot of time had passed,

I don't know why, but had desire

To fly back to where I was last,

Before the Great Chicago Fire.

Ruins of barn that used to be,

An owl atop cracked masonry.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Sunlight on Skin Dark

A vital body organ, skin,

Has melanocytes, the cells to

Create the substance, melanin,

Providing pigmentation through

The skin, a prime function which is

To absorb a lot of sun rays,

In the damage of DNA biz.

The more of melanin displays

The darker that the skin does be,

And gives off more radiant glow.

But dark skin is not sun risk free,

And on dark skin, sun screen should go.

Darker colored skin still needs done

Care to protect from too much sun.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Birds' Words

I am a giraffe of few words,

Lounging on my sofa a while.

Then I'm visited by three birds,

Who take perch on my pillow pile.

The birds, parrots, colorful are

Both in their feathers and vocab.

At first their chatter is bizarre,

Then I get comfy with their gab.

I'd never heard such words before,

And swing my neck to hear them all,

Trying to memorize them more,

To be chattier, my next call.

I give those parrots credit, gee,

Lots of cuss words they're teaching me.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Jack's "Valloween"

Jack O'Lantern from Halloween,

Winter put him in frozen way.

Then Jack thawed out in warmer scene,

Found himself on Valentine's Day.

And this got Jack to thinking of

Calling on Cupid to give him

Shot in the old gourd to find love.

So texted Cupid on a whim.

Later, Cupid showed up and learned

What Jack wanted, but gave Jack blame.

Last Halloween, Cupid was burned.

So in revenge, Cupid took aim.

Cupid, in a chainsaw attack,

Made pumpkin pie out of poor Jack

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 City Dwellers

Chicago is our kind of town,

Me and the Missus living high

On a skyscraper and look down

At people far below go by.

Right now we have an empty nest.

The kids are all out on their own,

So time to do what we do best,

Sight see Chicago, our fly zone,

Circling around buildings, stone old,

And new, mostly glass and steel chrome.

Fastest animal, diving bold,

Two peregrine falcons at home.

Look upward, you may see us swoop,

As we fly o'er Chicago's Loop

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Belly Laugh

Jonah was swallowed by a whale,

Was down in its big tummy, so

How did he live to tell the tale?

Of course the Bible let's us know

That the whale was ordered by God

To be a good sport and spit out

Jonah, and so it was not odd

That Jonah did survive no doubt.

But what was Jonah doing while

The whale was getting divine word?

Tummy tickling for a whale smile,

Followed by whale giggling occurred.

Could have been Jonah's epitaph,

"I failed making whale belly laugh."

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Clock's Running

I've turned down the lights and the bed,

Laid down with you, holding you close.

Only voice I hear from your head

Is yours, and dude, you're so verbose.

"I can't make you love me," you cry

Over and over, and I agree.

It is your time but don't know why

You keep repeating this to me.

And patronizing you sure is

Not my intention on the job.

Dissatisfying's not good biz.

I just want to please you a gob.

I have listened to your love schtick,

But I'm just here to turn a trick.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Behavior is Choice

I learned at a very young age,

Obey as law enforcement told,

Not the time for my rant or rage,

Not the time to try to be bold.

In my case I did disobey.

I felt right, so I did not stop

Justified anger to display.

I ended up kicking a cop.

And after my rash act was done,

What would the cop's reaction be?

He didn't shoot me with his gun.

I wasn't charged with battery.

Later in Court, right went my way.

But I was wrong to disobey.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Childhood Choice

Wyoming, I was born and raised,

Lived on a ranch with family,

In a valley where livestock grazed,

Tallest state mountain range, west be.

Even before I walked, of course

I was learning the joy to ride,

Sensing the bond atop the horse,

Galloping through the countryside.

Two allergies, doctors diagnosed,

To sage and to animal hair.

Exposure lots was self imposed,

Joy riding without any care.

So often done and ever pleased,

On horse through sage brush as I sneezed.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 She Holds Me

We first met when I tripped and fell.

Strong but gently, her arms reached out,

Then helped me up, and I could tell,

We would be true lovers no doubt.

And yes we be happily so.

She's been my best of good luck charms.

Times I'm joyful or sad, I know

I'm where I belong, in her arms.

Day came, her duty called, and she

Went off to serve her country, then

Duty over, she's back with me,

Happily together again.

My lover lost her arms in war,

And holds me in her heart the more.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Creeper Peeper

My landlord was a dirty louse,

Having a peephole in the wall

Of my apartment in his house.

I wouldn't have found it at all,

But one day hanging pictures, I

Just came across it, not in use.

Of course so furious that my

Privacy fouled by his abuse,

I thought about what I should do,

And then followed through on my goal.

While he was peeping, I just knew,

Shoved an icepick through his peephole.

Yes, I am very satisfied,

Hearing his screams the other side.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Psalms 6 - 10

David despaired, his enemies,

And especially King Saul would

Prevail, so prayed to God to please

Have mercy on him for his good.

David had faith that God had heard

His prayer, and protection divine

Would be his, and in fact occurred.

God's favor for David did shine.

David could have killed King Saul twice,

But did believe God should decide.

And indeed Saul did pay the price,

Later committing suicide.

His enemies, God put to shame,

And David a great king became.

Sense Sonnet - Steaamer

 Empty Handed Plus ...

I've broken into a rich home,

Hoping for loot to help myself.

Around the living room I roam,

Look behind books on a book shelf

For a wall safe, but finding none,

I'm tuckered out, so a couch

For a quick rest lies this tired one.

But fall asleep, then wake up, ouch!

More than two hours has gone by,

More than enough times, cops to call.

Such a disappointment, I sigh,

No time to search now for more haul.

Hearing sirens, I pee my pants,

Run empty handed, only chance.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Their Walk

Up the hill their walk they began,

The bright sun shining in their eyes.

So the hilltop they squint to scan.

They tote a pail to fetch their prize,

Desire of which gestures them on,

In spite of facing gusty wind.

They dream of water that's upon

The hilltop in a well, walk's end.

But suddenly one does fall down.

The other erupts in laughter,

Even though one has broke his crown.

Other, she comes tumbling after.

They'd worried not, walk up that hill,

What would befall poor Jack and Jill.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Fishing for Love

This turtle going fishing is

A mission for the catching of

My sweetheart turtle who, gee whiz,

Is avoiding my pleas of love.

Deep in the pond, my desired mate,

I hope to catch her with my lure,

On which attached, her favorite bait.

She'll want to take a bite for sure.

So on the dock, I patiently

Await achievement of my goal,

My sweetheart being caught by me.

So far, no pulling on my pole.

If I can catch my sweetheart, I

Be a turtlely joyful guy.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Hear This Moss

Legend has it that moss grows on

The north side of the trees due to

The shadier there phenomenon.

In northern hemisphere, tiz true,

Cuz sun shines down from the south, so

Other side of the tree, moss is,

To avoid sunlight, doncha know!

That's just moss minding its biz,

But in Australia, this moss be,

And so in truth, want you to hear

No north side of the tree is me,

Being in southern hemisphere.

Hear it straight from this moss's mouth,

Down under I'm on tree side south!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Hope Gave Us Will

We had gotten married quite young,

Had a daughter, who sadly grew,

As her parents, with sharpened tongue,

Had more and more fights, which came to

Using our daughter as a pawn,

Till finally came in pained course,

When all love between us was gone,

The two of us got a divorce,

With shared custody of young Hope.

When Hope was to get married, I

Was not really sure how to cope.

Thankfully hard each ex  did try.

And at our daughter's wedding, we

Behaved ourselves quite civilly.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Held Hands

In the hospital one more time,

I've been here many times before,

But in head and heart I know I'm

Not needing be here anymore.

My life, I have lived long and well,

So many friends and family.

Now my time has come, I can tell

That very soon death comes for me.

Next to me I hear a soft cry,

And look over to a surprise.

Such welcome visitor here, I

Watch my old look in my young eyes.

Holding hands with me as I died,

Me as newly born at my side.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Last Laugh's On Me

A late night T.V. talk show host,

Ever since Donald Trump came down

That escalator, I've spent most

Nights scorning him, but backstage frown

When my ratings began to fall,

And viewers were tuning me out.

I didn't understand it at all.

Comedy is what I'm about.

So more and more Trump jokes I tell,

But less and less hear them from me.

Network suits complain, what the hell!

Stuck in a Trump rut I do be.

When Trump's gone, I'll no longer care.

I'll no longer be on the air.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Uncle Mike

Uncle Mike, Momma's older bro,

He came back home from World War II.

I was quite young but got to know

Uncle Mike from fun stuff we'd do.

Oft he had his uniform on,

But would not wear it when we were

Off to  do some fishing at dawn.

He taught me how to fish for sure.

Fish we caught, Momma would fry up

For breakfast, Uncle Mike would tell

The tallest tales of fishing, yup,

Always told by Uncle Mike well.

He died in the Korean War.

Sad, I knew Uncle Mike no more

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Living the Nursery Rhyme

New York City, lived all my life,

And then Mayor Mamdani came.

Now I am facing lots of strife.

Because I'm white, I get the blame

For too much privilege, and so

My nice apartment which I own

Is taken from me, I must go,

Out into the homeless unknown.

So this old woman wanders out

Into the scary cold and dark,

Such feeling of despair no doubt.

I find myself in Central Park.

There was nothing else I could do,

Now I'm forced to live in a shoe.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Let Not "1984" Be U.S.

1984," George Orwell 

Wrote this novel decades before,

Speculative fiction to tell

Of nothing but revolt and war,

With once democracy turned to

A government regime led by

"Big Brother," a dictator who

Rules the people by force and lie.

Now in twenty twenty six be

Too many dictators who reign.

U.S. still best democracy,

We have least reason to complain.

Twenty twenty six, U.S. must

Come together in God We trust.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Lord Hears My Prayers

Lord, I got myself hooked upon

The bad habits of drugs and booze.

My living hell went on and on.

I could not help but drink and use.

Lord, I lost friends and family.

They tried to help, but no one could.

I believed no one could help me

Because I was up to no good.

Lord, I ended up at the lake.

Drowning should end my pain no doubt.

A quick prayer to you for my sake.

You sent strangers to help me out.

Lord, now clean and sober today,

In loving gratitude, I pray.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Rich Quick

I wanted to get rich real quick,

So robbed a wealthy widow's place.

She caught me, so I gave a kick.

Downstairs she fell dead. I did face

Charge of murder when I got caught,

Found guilty, now I'm on death row.

Meanwhile my Momma won a lot

In the state lottery, and so

Momma died today and left me

The lottery fortune she'd won.

She knew rich quick I wanted be.

My Momma always loved her son.

But not much time for my delight,

Cuz I'm getting fried at midnight.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Male Harlot?

The poet, William Blake, is said

To have said, "Every harlot was"

"A virgin once." William was wed,

But wanted mistresses becuz

William was a proponent of

Having lots of sex partners in

Even a marriage based on love,

And such should not be deemed a sin.

However, it's said that Blake's wife

Was so distressed at hearing this,

Blake did not wish to cause her strife,

So mistressed not for wedded bliss.

Still, William was a harlot kind,

If not in fact, at least in mind.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 My Measure of Success

How to measure success I ask

Myself sadly from time to time,

When I'm comparing my own task

To others, and disheartened I'm

Not completing my task as well

As others, and I know not why.

For I think I've worked hard as hell,

While others hardly seem to try.

So measuring success for me

Is that others have so much more.

I admit I feel jealousy,

Losing to others winning more.

Toilet paper is like success,

Not having it, important, yes!

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Mother and Daughter

Mother and daughter holding hands,

Ages thirty and three years old,

Share a moment each understands.

A loved one's not with them to hold.

Mother and daughter now without

Husband and father, soldier who

Died while fighting a war about

Reasons nobody really knew.

Mother and daughter remember

On this day with the setting sun,

His birthday, first of September,

Day he would have turned thirty one.

Mother and daughter pray for he,

Who in their time and place not be.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Relapse, the Stalker

Addictive personality,

I know by hard truth I have one.

Drugs and alcohol consumed me,

The cure for which cannot be done.

But I can recover, and I

Did so with lots of others' aid.

One day at a time I must try

Not let a relapse choice be made.

I've heard it said that some compare

My letting a relapse occur

Is like an attack by a bear.

Both of these happenings I'm sure,

I fret not attack by a bear.

Relapse I must always beware.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Dandy Jack

After breakfast, Grandpa took me
To meet old Bessie's newborn calf.
It was a friendship meant to be.
Grandpa called us the half and half.
I named my new pal, Dandy Jack.
We hung together in the barn,
Romping in hay from stack to stack,
Playing catch with a ball of yarn.
As time went by and Dandy grew,
All of the farm was our playground.
If I was there, then Jack was too.
The pair of us were buddy bound.

But, the butcher man came one day,
And took my Dandy Jack away.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 My Favorite Place

In urban Chicago, northside,

Near the Great Lake Michigan shore,

Forty acres prime land supplied

With well cared for wildlife galore.

Fauna and flora to be sensed.

Animals, most endangered, are.

Plants, from the Great Plains, here condensed.

Millions visit from near and far,

With entry being free for all,

To visit ambassadors of

Conserving wild of nature's call,

Given to share with nature's love.

My favorite place I share with you,

The one and only Lincoln Park Zoo.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Picture of My Dear Wife

My dear wife and I, tourists, are.

Paris' fanciest restaurant be

Where we're off to. Why take a car?

A short walk according to me.

My dear wife's dressed in finest style,

Wearing the fine fur I gave her.

But summer heat, she does not smile.

Farther walk than I thought for sure.

My dear wife stops and poses for

Her picture that I want to take.

Impatient she looks more and more,

At last yelling, "For heaven sake,"

"Please take the dang picture, my sweet,"

"These new shoes are killing my feet!"

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Playing With Them

I like to watch them watching me.

I'm a fascination, no doubt.

Sometimes mischievous I will be,

And as they watch me dance about,

I'll make myself as though appears

A figure making gestures, so

To spark within them shock, then fear

As to what, why and how my glow

Has become such an eerie sight,

Accomplishing my set desire,

Their reactions are such delight,

Makes me so pleased that I be fire.

When I am bored, I often find

A lot of fun from humankind.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

"That Bird"

That bird that had a song to sing,

You ask if that bird is still here?

Or did that bird go on the wing,

And now so far when once so near?

That bird did have a lovely song,

With something important to say,

Singing forth loud and clear and strong.

Wanting to sing to you today,

That bird this morning started to

Sing just outside your window, and

Was singing so sweet for you,

When tragedy struck me unplanned. 

That bird, I am now dead, no doubt,

Because you let your darn cat out.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Puppies at Play

We, a six pack of puppies be.

Momma wanted some time alone,

So sent us on a play time spree,

First time we've been out on our own.

Of course Momma's keeping her eye

On us, as in the yard we all

Romp through grass and flower supply,

And finding out life be a ball.

Brothers and sisters having fun,

Exploring this new world we've found.

We're one for all and all for one,

As into doggie life we're bound.

Now, we puppies be hungry bunch,

And Momma's calling us for lunch.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Nessie

When I was young, to Scotland I

Traveled, destination, Loch Ness.

After filled with large ale supply,

Off to see mythical beast, yes!

On the shore of the Loch, my aim

To see for myself, Nessie, who

Must have heard me yelling, she came,

Winked at me, then disappeared, true!

Many years later, I went back,

This time sober, stood on the shore,

Yelled, and then from the waters black,

My Nessie reappeared once more.

Seeing her now, I'm a sad one,

Nessie is just her skeleton

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Silken Touch

When I first saw you I knew that

The perfect coupling we would do.

I lured you to my habitat,

Where I would have my way with you.

Of course you shared with me the lust.

My great expectations you met.

So impassioned your every thrust,

Bringing me to climaxing wet.

And when we'd satisfied our need,

From my web you wanted to be.

But I would not have that indeed.

A tasty meal you'd be for me.

Now ensnared in my silken touch,

This lady spider thanks you much.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Grandma's Kitchen

Grandpa was a very mean guy,

Abused Grandma and the kids and

The grandkids for much too long by

Causing all pain by word and deed.

Even Dougie the dog knew him

As a Grandpa who was the worst,

Inflicting harm on any whim,

So  abusive who hit and cursed.

One day Grandma and Dougie had

Enough Grandpa and hit his head

With a skillet, stripped him unclad,

And stuck him in the oven, dead.

Grandpa, baked and sliced and served, hence

Family ate the evidence.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Snowdrops from Heaven

From Eden they both had to leave,

Forced into winter cold and snow.

Both felt hopeless, Adam and Eve.

From Heaven an Angel did show,

And felt deep sorrow for the two,

So took some falling snowflakes there,

Transformed such into flowers new,

Soft and pearly white, them to share

With Adam and Eve, for to take

With them as they would wander out

Into the vast unknown to make

First human family no doubt.

Exiled from Eden, first mom and pop

Took with them hope, some blooming Snowdrop.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Holy Blood of Christ

They used my wood to make the cross

On which Jesus was crucified.

Then, I understood not the loss,

Just another human who died.

But then when He rose from the dead,

I knew, and small and twisted I

Turned into from the blood He'd shed.

And now each Easter does bloom my

Flowers in form of a cross shape,

With petals having a red stain.

For my part, I cannot escape.

He forgave, but I'm still in pain.

Salvation Christ gave, I ever be

A reminder from the dogwood tree.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Something to Sneeze At

A giant panda, I woke up

From a nap and quite hungry, so

Went looking for my favorite sup,

Some bamboo in a patch that grow.

But when I got to the patch, I

Was caught off guard by bamboo throws

Of pepper in a huge supply,

Lots of which flew up in my nose,

Putting me in a fit of sneeze.

Feeling so helpless, I run off,

Never have felt so ill at ease,

Behind me, hear the bamboo scoff.

All the bamboo, giggling at me,

Taunting how bamboozled I be.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 You Could Use a True Friend

I know your wife is mad at you,

And for good reason, I've no doubt.

Lies and excuses to pursue,

Your mind is conjuring about,

All of which complicate your life,

Because none of such worked before,

Never been believed by your wife,

Liar, excuser - you're so poor!

You know, last option I do be.

Use me now and your wife might tend

To give you some grace, using me,

Silence, I am always your friend.

Your wife will scorn whatever you say,

Might as well use me, I'll not betray.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Vote for Global Warming

Is global warming true or not?

This Chicagoan hopes it's true,

At least some degree, not a lot,

Just enough global warming to

Make weather in Chicago be

Like San Diego weather now.

No more of harsh winters for me,

No more need for any snow plow.

Ice caps might melt, oceans might rise,

But Lake Michigan still the same.

And anytime wanted, one lies

On the beach sand, suntan one's aim.

Chicago wind turned tropic breeze

All year around, tickling palm trees.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Wedge Watching

White ibis is the human name

Given one bird, ibises if

More of us, and we have gained fame

Sensing hurricanes with our whiff.

And when a hurricane we sense,

We form a triangular wedge,

And take to the skies to dispense

Coming warning due to our edge.

Last of birds to take shelter, and

First of birds to come back out to

Take flight and give the news firsthand

That now the hurricane is through

So humans seeing us in wedged flight,

Hurricane coming? Might not or might!

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 Deal Made Myth

Prometheus dared to give fire

To humans and a big no no,

Resulting in head god Zeus' ire.

And had Prometheus chained so

Daily his liver would be ate

Forever by an eagle bird.

Zeus was satisfied with such fate,

Until he somehow got the word

That Prometheus knew of plot

To overthrow Zeus, so this fact

Allowed his freedom to be bought.

Zeus sent Hercules for this act.

Prometheus know Zeus' downfall be,

So as stool pigeon he was set free.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Impart on Art

We three sheep and three cattle be

Relaxed together on the farm.

A human stranger comes near, we

Keep relaxed and don't feel alarm.

Turns out to be a painter guy,

Who tells us he is famous for

Painting livestock like us. But why?

Humans seem silly more and more.

But he is not bothering us,

So we just let him do his thing.

No reason to make any fuss

Just over a silly painting.

Lot of trouble this painter will

Having all of us posing still.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Oldly Newlyweds

A man and woman, very old,
Were in the midst of wedding vows.
After heard the "have and to hold,"
The man slipped into a short browse.
When coming to, he did not know
If she had said "I do" or not.
It bothered him a bunch, and so,
Interrupting the tie the knot,
He apologized and asked her
If she'd said "I do" as yet.
Her expression seemed in a blur.
She replied, somewhat in a fret,

"I remember saying 'I do,'"
"But can't remember - who are you?"

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Difficult Duty

As soon as we were in the car,

And driving on the street downtown,

You started acting quite bizarre,

Cuz you knew what was coming down,

Since we do this 'bout the same time

Once a year, and as you know well,

What is going on now, but I'm

Here for you, and with truth to tell,

It's a trip more for me so that

Hopefully my mind's put at ease

Again that you're a healthy cat.

Please take your claws out of my knees.

You know I have not failed you yet,

So let's go check up with the vet.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 The Bigger, The Badder

All big religions believe in

God in some set fashion and form,

And believe God is against sin,

As defined by religious norm.

And in all time and in all place,

All big religions do defend

Each one's beliefs, and make each case,

Charging the others just pretend.

Each big religion, wanting more

Power and money, blames that hate

Rules the others, and so just war

Is needed for a loving fate.

So when I die, I hope I might

Find out which religion was right.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Dying Dancer

It was Valentine's day we met.

I felt a true love had begun.

Then you left me, and I would fret,

Our loving two hearts, now just one,

That throbbed inside of me until

I could not bear it anymore.

And so to make my heart go still,

A knife I plunged in, and watched pour,

My blood spraying and splashing out,

And forming pools all around be.

Then I began dancing about,

Yearning so, that you were with me.

I danced in blood from my broken heart.

I died in pain on my bloody art.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 "Cat Got Your Tongue?"

"Cat got your tongue?" the wife asked me,

And asked with a smirk on her face.

Then when I didn't answer, she

Chose to really get on my case.

Said I was acting like a child.

Should be ashamed of myself for

Acting so dumb, she meanly smiled,

Then continued berating more.

When she insulted my manhood,

I was fed up with her for sure,

And wanted done with her for good.

I grabbed the wife's neck, strangled her.

The wife kept nagging and I snapped.

The cat got my tongue while I napped.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Evil Does Not Discriminate

Evil is all the time and place,

Wherever humankind do be,

No preference for any race,

Skin color, each and every.

White supremacy is of course

Both lot of truth and lot of lie.

But evil in Germanic Norse

Is not unanimous supply.

It's just that some white folks went 'round

The world and evil went with them,

And in time and places be bound,

Caused lots of resulting mayhem.

As white folks be less, more and more,

Other colors, evil looks for.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 "Jane Says"

The Jane's Addiction band be named

After a real Jane who they knew.

"Jane Says" song about her got famed

Over the crazy stuff she'd do,

Cuz of a drug addiction Jane had.

A dead head under wig to wig,

Living her life to worse from bad,

Inspiring the band, gig to gig.

Always tomorrow Jane would kick

Her habit, as the band played on,

Cashing in on this troubled chick.

Would Jane's tomorrow ever dawn?

Jane Bainter mused the band a lot.

Jane says, "Clean and sober I got."

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Fever Dream

There was a fever in my head.

I decided I needed rest,

And at last fell asleep in bed.

Then began a bad dream that messed

With the well being of my mind.

I was on board a spooky ship,

When attacked by the undead kind,

Who chased me 'round, trying to rip

The flesh from my body. And why?

Because just bones they all did be,

And wanted my fresh flesh supply.

Thank goodness the clock wakened me.

There weren't that many undead, true,

Must have been a skeleton crew.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Back to Eden

"Take me back to Eden," you plead.

It's reopening by guess who,

So I am heading there indeed,

To find out if it's really true.

You say you want to ride along,

But you have turned into a mess,

So you with me, don't get me wrong,

Could be a bummer I would guess.

Of course many are of a mind

That guess who never will let in

Eden any more humankind,

Because we just can't help but sin.

I'm going, but won't hold my breath,

Eden could just be end called death.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Marilyn Unlikely

I look just like Marilyn Monroe,

So when I heard there was in town

Her look a like contest, and so

I dropped everything and ran down,

Just in the nick of time and place

To get signed up and pay the fee,

And to enter my body and face,

That should make a winner of me.

Wore sexy polka dot outfit,

Making sure showed my skin enough,

Thinking on stage would be a hit,

So smiled and on a cig did puff.

Looked like Marilyn, but did lose,

Smoking cigs and showing tattoos.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Lasting Look

"I like the look of Agony,"

Emily Dickinson did pen,

Because she felt such look to be

A truth not pretended by men.

George Gould, a man Emily knew

And loved, and at age of 19,

Emily became engaged to.

But her father, she deemed quite mean,

Cancelled her plans, and proved her case,

When George was told this news indeed,

Look of agony on his face,

That their marriage would not proceed.

Maybe that look of Agony led

To Emily never getting wed.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

 On Assignment

On assignment I'm sent to Earth

To an urban environment,

Ended up in Dallas/Fort Worth,

Hell of a place to have been sent.

Landed in a puddle of oil,

Which splashed into my feathered wings,

Causing normal tuck in to foil.

So now I'm object of starings

From masses of humanity,

That I have no choice but to meet,

Swarming a claustrophobic me,

Irked angel on this busy street.

Assigned to Earth is an ill fate

To give the Big Gal an update!

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 If I Could Be a Pirate ...

If I could be a pirate, I

Would not be one with a hand hook,

Would not be one with a patched eye,

Would not be one with peg leg look.

If I could be a pirate, give

Me a fine ship that flies the flag

Of skull and crossbones, where I'd live

And feel so free to cuss and brag.

If I could be a pirate, well

I'd have a parrot who could talk.

I'm greatest parrot, it would tell,

Or else the plank I'd make it walk.

If I could be a pirate, gee,

Wonder if the folks would ground me!

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Online Frolicker

I came to life in a sad rhyme,

First in a poem, then in a song.

I remember that place and time,

Memory of my friend still strong.

Yes, little Jackie Paper came,

And we two frolicked by the sea.

But Jackie left, that was a shame.

All alone in my cave was me.

But to my rhyme, let me add this,

By young at heart I'm not forgot.

My ageless life is one of bliss,

Sad dragon once, but now I'm not.

Through social media I'm well known,

Online lots with my p.c. and phone.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Jorogumo

A jorogumo I be named,

Voracious spider in Japan.

For my shapeshifting I am famed,

Turning myself into human,

Specifically a woman who

Is of beauty beyond compare,

Easily lure human prey to

My web domain, and there ensnare

In silken thread, the prey to be,

Powerless and able to just

Watch as being eaten by me,

Sheer terror now replacing lust.

It matters not if gal or guy,

For matters of the flesh, I'm bi.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Please Believe Me

I hear you say my leaving you

Did leave you with a lot of loss,

Surely not what I meant to do.

I'm sorry if I came across

As someone who no longer cared.

I want to assure you instead

That I'm so thankful what we shared.

To leave you feeling dry and dead,

Upon which now you sometimes pine,

Is never how I'd leave us be.

I want you again to feel fine.

Please give another chance to me.

A little time I'll let you take,

Meanwhile, your leaves lost, let me rake.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 First Crush

In the 1950's and I

Was a very young child who got

A first huge crush of love's supply,

Caused my heart to flutter a lot.

An older married woman, she

Still seemed to be a kid at heart,

Doing funny stuff just for me,

Which kept me laughing when apart.

In time and place, I'd always get

Situated for more delight,

Sit in front of the T.V. set,

Watch her with love in black and white.

So much more than a child's weekly whim.

Ricky? I Loved Lucy more than him!

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Remember Robin

"Dead Poets Society" is

A film about coming of age.

Robin Williams, famed in show biz,

Starred as a teacher who'd engage

His young students to "carpe diem,"

To "seize the day," and too he'd read

Dead poets' poetry to them,

Giving inspiration indeed.

Much like the teacher he portrayed,

Robin gave to the cast and crew

A love for life that with them stayed,

Not knowing then what Robin knew.

Even Robin's great wit and skill

Could not outlive depression's kill.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Picked Not

Upon the same bush we all grew,

Red roses all, my buds and I.

When all of us be picked, we knew

We would provide a fresh supply

Of a fine gift to be received

In a well known gesture of love.

Such destiny, we all believed,

And looked forward to coming of

Gardener hands removing us from

Our bush, which did happen one day,

A happening, very welcome,

As one by one bud went their way.

My buds all picked, but I'm left jilted.

Alone in my sadness, I wilted.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Sign of?

"Welcome all people, love lives here,"

I saw the sign and thought how nice.

Then in mind some doubt did appear.

I paused to think about it twice.

And thought about my own life of

Living a lot of time and place,

And there be always signs of love.

But always there'd be hate I'd face.

And now the time and place I be,

Not the destination I yearn,

Now that my death has come to me.

I think I have made a wrong turn.

Of course the devil says love is

In hell, part of his pretense biz.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Lost Then Found

My life of yesterday did be

One of delusion, living hell.

But today I've serenity,

Live in the moment and live well.

After attempted suicide,

The state gave me an interlude.

Professional help was supplied.

Then I was discharged as one who'd

Continue to get help I need,

To stay healthy and to transcend

To a useful person indeed,

And to others, be a true friend.

No more pursuit of living lie,

Now pursuit of truth till I die.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 The Elsies

William Carlos Williams wrote of

Elsie Borden, he later named

"To Elsie," who'd known little love,

Described in his poem which aimed

At 1920's culture in

The U.S. which victimized those

Like Elsie with much crime and sin,

And there seemed nothing to oppose

The mentally challenged and poor

Being such easy targets to

Be trusting and victimized more.

Elsie represented that's true.

Elsie, an orphaned nursemaid who be

Employed by the Williams' family.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Awaiting Family

Mrs. Rabbit, a widow, I

Raised my children in forest dale.

One son, three daughters, Peter guy,

Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail.

The old Rabbit hole we moved from,

When this working Mom made good pay,

And to a treehouse we did come,

Where I live to this very day.

Now I'm relaxing with a book,

Waiting for kids and grandkids to

Visit me, and a meal I'll cook

That will tickle their tummies, true.

Years ago, Playboy Bunny, me,

But now retired, home Mum I be.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 2026 Outlook

Robert Frost in his famous verse,

"Fire and Ice," pens of the world's end.

One of these two, which would be worse?

Twenty twenty six I portend

That both will bring the world ill fate.

First will come another ice age,

But with deep freeze will still be hate,

Causing nuclear war to rage,

Melting all of the ice so that,

Just like the Bible tells us of,

Flood waters o'er world habitat.

The world needs now be love, sweet love.

Twenty twenty six, a year dark,

Few survive, rebuild Noah's Ark.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 My Salvation Psalm

I stand beside this lovely stream,

With righteousness in life's pursuit,

And hoping to fulfill God's dream

That in goodness I will bear fruit.

Ever vigilant I must be,

For wickedness is all around,

Seeking the destruction of me.

But in God's faith I stand my ground,

As pestilence does swarm about,

Threatening me with stress and strife.

I pray to God, and have no doubt

That salvation does bless my life.

Thank God, with righteousness I stay,

As God's wind blows wicked away.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 What I'm Hearing

Yes, "Hello darkness my old friend,"

"I've come to talk with you again,"

Lyrics, when younger, I would tend

To listen to in the dark when

Simon and Garfunkel would sing.

And when the song was over, I

Would talk to the darkness, yearning,

But left always wondering why

From dark silence there came no sound.

So this song and I parted ways.

Darkness no longer had me bound.

And nights I'd light up like the days.

Now old, I listen to this song,

And hear the darkness sing along.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 "Dog Eat Your Supper"

"Dog eat your supper," Dog I told.

But Dog, she just did bark at me

That she didn't like supper cold,

As supper I served her did be.

"Dog I sure don't have time for this."

"Heat your supper and I'll be late."

But Dog, she just did bark a dis

For me not caring how she ate.

"Dog, you let go of my pants leg."

But Dog through her teeth, she just growled.

And no matter how hard I'd beg,

Dog would not let go, once felt fouled.

I win no debates with my pup,

And I heated her supper up.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Winchester House

Widow Winchester was quite rich

From all the Winchester guns sold.

She bought me on a psychic's pitch,

A farm house, and already old.

She added lots of rooms to me,

One hundred and sixty in all,

Including stairs to nowhere be,

And doors open to just a wall.

Obsessed, the Widow lived inside

Of me to assure herself that

I met her plans, the day she died,

She deemed me done as habitat.

Why all the building on me done?

For ghosts of the Winchester gun.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Rhyme Biz

Waxing poetically, I

Often daydream of getting rich

Off of my large sonnet supply.

I just need to find the right niche,

Like Arch Hades, poetess, found,

Selling poetry for high price,

That made her record setting bound,

Such accomplishment sounds so nice.

But no doubt what happened with her

Involved talent and work and luck,

All of which I am not so sure

I'm willing to do for big buck.

So I await A.P.'s news flash

That A.P. turned my points to cash.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Wish Will Come

Summers in Chicago oft give

Some days so hot and humid that

It's hard outside for me to live,

Thus air conditioned habitat

Is where I'm forced to stay inside,

Wishing I were out and about,

Enjoying the Lake and parks, the pride

Of Chicago, summer no doubt

When most of my enjoyment is,

Except on those days when such hot

Make my mind and body, gee whiz,

Long for Chicago winter sought.

When worst of hot, humid summer be,

Invincible winter's wished by me.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 Reflect Badly

Long she's looked at me with such need.

Long I have let her beauty see.

More and more a vain one indeed,

She's taking advantage of me.

And so this morning I chose to

Let her see herself as inside,

Where she has an ugliness, true,

And thus this image I supplied.

Of course such caused her to go mad,

And I felt the force of her fist,

Landing, so a crack I now had,

Assault that would not be dismissed.

She's got seven years real bad luck.

Yes, a vengeful mirror she has struck.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 Beach Strollers, Then and Now

To Florida we two retired,

In time to place we had planned out,

Fulfilled the dream we'd long desired,

Where we shared memories no doubt,

Where we'd honeymooned long ago.

Having no money, we camped here

Upon this beach we came to know,

Sharing young love we held so dear.

Now comfortable moneywise,

Achieving our retirement goal,

With a condo just the right size,

Upon this beach we love to stroll.

We strolled this beach, lovers in youth,

And now still stroll, long in the tooth.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

 First Cup

It's early in the morning and

I'm enjoying time to myself,

Brewing my favorite coffee brand.

I've taken two cups from the shelf.

The brew is ready and I pour

One cup of coffee just for me.

I have about an hour more

Alone in the kitchen to be.

Time enough I can think about

My day ahead and what I'll do,

Both boring stuff and fun no doubt.

I sit and think and sip my brew.

Ah yes, I hear Hubby is up.

With love I pour another cup.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

 Family Sadness

He was her favorite son, I know,

And when he joined the army, she

Was very sad to see him go,

And ever much sadder when he

Was killed and his body returned

To her to bury and ask why

His death, a waste for all, she yearned

For him, such thoughts still make her cry.

She cannot let him rest in peace,

And constantly blames herself for

What happened to him. She can't cease

Obsessing on him more and more.

Her favorite son is dead and gone,

But I, her other son, live on.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Stork Story

When my young son did learn to talk,

Of course a question he did ask,

I knew would come but still a shock,

"Where did I come from?" Thus the task

Of whether or not to tell true

The how and why and where detail.

But much easier task to do,

He got delivered like the mail

By a family loving bird,

The stork brought my bundle of joy,

Request I made and the stork heard,

To bring to me my special boy.

Same cute but false tale for my son,

That for me, Mom and Dad had done.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

 First Contact

While I was taking a walk, I

Encountered an E.T. who said

It came in peace. I don't know why,

But it seemed insincere instead.

Then it told me from where it came,

And I began to understand,

Becoming wary of its aim,

Thus refusing to shake its hand.

Using mental telepathy,

An urgent message was relayed

To the proper authority

That it was here, and please send aid.

I'd learned their trust was not of worth,

Any one from the planet Earth.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

 Color Clashing Max

We are two puppy dogs who've got

A young human named Max who is

Into wild, weird colors a lot,

But we let him mind his own biz.

Our home is filled with furniture

And furnishings in shapes and hues

That are quite colorful for sure,

That one with good taste would not choose.

And Max himself does like to dress

In fashions that make him look like

A paint factory, we would guess,

That had a big explosion. Yike!

Wild color combos, we don't mind,

Cuz  both of us are color blind.