Hilda Greenhough Poet Rhyme

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.

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David Crandall May 18, 2024 at 10:53 AM Cool - I remember pikas from backpacking as a kid around Mammoth Lakes, CA, also obsidian and pumice resulting from the ancient volcano eruptions. Hilda Greenhough June 18, 2024 at 8:24 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 April 14, 2024 at 9:39 AM A new word for me. Thanks for this poetic information Hilda Greenhough April 15, 2024 at 7:25 AM You're welcome. Every animal, large or small, is magic.

Joseph May April 13, 2024 at 11:04 AM They are prepared for those long winters, Very nicely penned Hilda Greenhough April 13, 2024 at 2:57 PM Thank you. The pika is an adorable mammal.

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

Heidi Sands April 10, 2024 at 4:02 PM Great poem Hilda. Well described. Nice and clear :) Hilda Greenhough April 10, 2024 at 5:55 PM Thank you.

Joseph P. DiMino April 10, 2024 at 9:51 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! Hilda Greenhough April 10, 2024 at 2:11 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 April 10, 2024 at 7:33 AM A lovely poem, my friend. Life can and will adapt to its surroundings. I admit, I had to Google 'Pika'. Hilda Greenhough April 10, 2024 at 2:09 PM Thank you for your attention to this small mammal. I'm happy you liked it.

Victor Buhagiar April 10, 2024 at 1:55 AM Out of a disaster, creation found a nook. Lovely metaphoric poem. Hilda Greenhough April 10, 2024 at 6:52 AM That was well put. Thank you for reading my poem.

Robert Schatz April 9, 2024 at 8:10 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! Hilda Greenhough April 9, 2024 at 9:04 PM Thank you for reading. My poem gives the pikas a day in the sun.

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

Paige Hind April 8, 2024 at 5:48 PM Interesting poem, I enjoyed reading :) Hilda Greenhough April 8, 2024 at 6:17 PM Thank you for reading it.

Sotto Poet April 8, 2024 at 2:46 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. Hilda Greenhough April 8, 2024 at 3:54 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 April 8, 2024 at 12:47 PM Thank you for sharing this Hilda, I have learnt something new. Pika..first time I have heard of it. Beautifully written. Hilda Greenhough April 8, 2024 at 1:03 PM Thank you. I have always enjoyed animals. Lassen in California is home to many pika.

Paula Goldsmith April 8, 2024 at 11:19 AM I enjoyed reading your "Pika" write/story. Have a blessed day writing away............. Hilda Greenhough April 8, 2024 at 11:28 AM Thank you Paula.

Ink Empress April 8, 2024 at 10:34 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 Hilda Greenhough April 8, 2024 at 10:44 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.