Theodor Seuss Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) was born on March 2, 1904. So, to one of my favorite authors of all time, I say “Happy 111th Birthday!”
In honor of this occasion, here’s a fun poem I wrote a few years ago…
The Zookeeper’s Symphony
On a Saturday night, when the zookeeper’s keys
Have locked the front gates with a click and a squeeze,
The hippos let go a most watery moan
And the toucans catch hold of the rich overtone.
The primates percuss, snapping fingers and toes,
While the elephant inhales and lifts its great nose.
In the dim light of a thin crescent moon,
A trill, a crescendo, a riotous tune
The peacocks conduct with an arrogant flare,
Coaxing a growl from the lone polar bear.
The zebras create a fine washboard effect
Rubbing their stripes side to side, neck to neck.
A smart pair of meerkats barks up the scale;
A young leopard whines while chasing its tail.
Up on the high ground, some old mountain goats
Bleat several sweet bars of staccato notes.
Then, an African lion adds a deep roar
To the rippling sounds of the sleepy sloth’s snore.
The zookeeper smiles as she hangs up her keys,
Then, humming along, plays the spoons on her knees.
cvb 2012
Chapter 3 