In the hours before dawn the animals stirred
A pot bellied pig passed the word.
Some did squeal and some did laugh
When they heard the intentions of Gerry giraffe.
Continued incarceration in a smelly cage
Had resulted in a simmering rage.
And before the break of the new day
He said he was going to get away.
Ignoring the hyenas jeering calls
He kicked a gap in the wooden walls.
Butting and barging he enlarged the hole
Before setting off on his freedom stroll.
His initial success went to his head
“Whose coming with me?” Gerald said
Some zebras and llamas, some camels and swine
Were quickly recruited to his conga line.
Marching away through a housing estate
The animals tasted life beyond the gate.
Into a nearby garden they did intrude
In search of adventure and a morsel of food.
An early riser getting ready for work
Came to a halt with a sudden jerk.
Hardly believing his sleep filled eyes
He reacted calmly despite the surprise.
He searched his cupboards for suitable food
To feed this unusual beastly brood.
And while the escapees enjoyed their snack
He called the police to take them back.
The police arrived but, confronted with hogs
Sent for reinforcement in the form of dogs.
Gerald and his friends then soon made
An unusual early morning parade.
Back through the streets of Amsterdam
(which caused a massive traffic jam)
Back through the tangle of busses and cars
To resume their sad life – beyond strong bars.
Author notes
A recent newspaper report was the prompt for this piece of nonsense.
June 30, 2008 - 7:23 p.m. CDT Giraffe helps camels, zebras escape from circus AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — Amsterdam police say 15 camels, two zebras and an undetermined number of llamas and potbellied swine briefly escaped from a traveling Dutch circus after a giraffe kicked a hole in their cage. Police spokesman Arnout Aben says the animals wandered in a group through a nearby neighborhood for several hours after their 5:30 a.m. breakout. The animals were back at the circus later Monday after being rounded up by police and circus workers with the assistance of dogs. Aben says neighbors fed some of the animals — which he said was a bad idea — but they were tame and nobody was hurt. Says Aben: "You have to imagine somebody rubbing his eyes first thing in the morning and saying, 'Am I seeing things or is that 15 camels walking past?'"
Comments
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Poetical News ...
and your poem was well-crafted and a pleasure to read! I love to find those gems in the paper that make for such good poetry. I can see these lines spread out on the pages for a children's book that is well illustrated! Your imagery was just right! joy
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Thank you for those kind words. They mean a lot
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Loved it
It may have been a news article that prompted you but I dare say the original article was not this interesting to read. I'll have to read this one to my grandson, I know he'll love it. Thanks Jim, and keep up the great writing.
Bless you my friend,
Ron
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Thanks for your comment.
I hope your grandson likes it Ron. I was aiming at the "Christopher Robin" type readership but have no relatives that young myself to try it on.
Jim
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