Hilda Greenhough | + Follow Poet |
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Pika

Black is the color of the ground
Which encircles the placid lake.
Volcanic cinders now surround
Desolate earth formed by raging quake.

Large rocks, silhouettes on the shore,
Provide shelter for small critters.
A place for winter's yearly store.
A place where pikas raise their litters

Lassen Park, a home for pikas
Who run around all summer long
Gathering supplies as fast as
The warm rays of the sun remain strong.

The extensive snows of winter
Trap the pikas safe in the den,
Where stored food is now their center.
When snow melts, an escape will open.

Though forced beneath the rocks to dwell,
The pika plans his life quite well.





*the pika is a very small lagomorph that is related to a rabbit.

Copyright © Hilda Greenhough | Year Posted 2024

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David Crandall Date: 5/18/2024 10:53:00 AM Cool - I remember pikas from backpacking as a kid around Mammoth Lakes, CA, also obsidian and pumice resulting from the ancient volcano eruptions. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 6/18/2024 8:24:00 AM I believe that a park ranger told us about the pika when we showed him a large hole in a towel that had been left on the ground. I didn't actually see one, but I knew he was beautiful.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 4/14/2024 9:39:00 AM A new word for me. Thanks for this poetic information Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/15/2024 7:25:00 AM You're welcome. Every animal, large or small, is magic.

Joseph May Date: 4/13/2024 11:04:00 AM They are prepared for those long winters, Very nicely penned Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/13/2024 2:57:00 PM Thank you. The pika is an adorable mammal.

Bill Baker Date: 4/12/2024 5:30:00 PM Very interesting information on the Pikas, Hilda. I enjoyed you fine rhyme poetry today. Thanks for sharing it with us, my friend. Bill Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/12/2024 6:46:00 PM Thank you. The animal kingdom has many surprises.

Heidi Sands Date: 4/10/2024 4:02:00 PM Great poem Hilda. Well described. Nice and clear :) Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/10/2024 5:55:00 PM Thank you.

Joe Dimino Date: 4/10/2024 9:51:00 AM Lovely, informative poet write. I enjoyed this read very much. Learned a lot. Amazing how all nature finds a way to survive and thrive. Well done, Hilda! Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/10/2024 2:11:00 PM I think of the pika often, mostly because I realize how tough the mountain winters can be. Thank you for your visit.

Jerry Brotherton Date: 4/10/2024 7:33:00 AM A lovely poem, my friend. Life can and will adapt to its surroundings. I admit, I had to Google 'Pika'. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/10/2024 2:09:00 PM Thank you for your attention to this small mammal. I'm happy you liked it.

Victor Buhagiar Date: 4/10/2024 1:55:00 AM Out of a disaster, creation found a nook. Lovely metaphoric poem. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/10/2024 6:52:00 AM That was well put. Thank you for reading my poem.

Robert Schatz Date: 4/9/2024 8:10:00 PM The pikas seem to be happy. I really like "winter's yearly store." (It's bad enough I was going to have to look up pika, but then I had to look up lagomorph.) Cheers! Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/9/2024 9:04:00 PM Thank you for reading. My poem gives the pikas a day in the sun.

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 4/8/2024 5:57:00 PM Your interesting tale of the resourceful and forward thinking pika was delightful to read, Hilda. Thank you for sharing. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/8/2024 6:18:00 PM Thank you. Many animals have interesting lives.

Paige Hind Date: 4/8/2024 5:48:00 PM Interesting poem, I enjoyed reading :) Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/8/2024 6:17:00 PM Thank you for reading it.

Sotto Poet Date: 4/8/2024 2:46:00 PM Thank you, Hilda, for sharing this. I genuinely appreciate the new knowledge I've gained from it. Pika is a term I hadn't come across before, and I find it intriguing. Your writing beautifully captures its essence. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/8/2024 3:54:00 PM I'm getring to be a nature writer. My original goal was to write horror poems. Maybe a schism is about. Thank you for your comments.

Zyrool Gifford Date: 4/8/2024 12:47:00 PM Thank you for sharing this Hilda, I have learnt something new. Pika..first time I have heard of it. Beautifully written. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/8/2024 1:03:00 PM Thank you. I have always enjoyed animals. Lassen in California is home to many pika.

Paula Goldsmith Date: 4/8/2024 11:19:00 AM I enjoyed reading your "Pika" write/story. Have a blessed day writing away............. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/8/2024 11:28:00 AM Thank you Paula.

Ink Empress Date: 4/8/2024 10:34:00 AM Ah what a brilliant write this is dear hilda, i didnt know what pika was so i had to google, its a species related to rabbits? Youv written so well as always , painting imagery in such a creative manner, I especially love the opening lines in this, and how you’ve also written “ Lassen Park, a home for pikas Who run around all summer long Gathering supplies as fast as The warm rays of the sun remain strong.“ i can imagine them working hard when sun is out, sad during winter it must be challenging. Pleasure reading your poem. Sending you light always Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/8/2024 10:44:00 AM Thank you for your comments. I learned of pikas while camping at Lassen National Park. The pika brought attention to itself by chewing a hole in a towel. The remnants, I assume, were meant for bedding. It is related to rabbits and hares.