There’s an animal park
A half-hour away
Where we went, for the first time,
With Henry today.
I was skeptical, but
It was worth what we paid,
For meandering paths
Lined with trees giving shade,
Led to animals you’d
Not expect to be there.
There were lions and tigers
And more than one bear.
We saw tortoises, emus
And gators and skinks,
Ponies, monkeys, giraffes
And chinchillas (no minks).
Varied tropical birds,
Porcupines, foxes, sheep,
Pumas, jaguars and vultures,
With many asleep.
Still, we strolled and enjoyed
Creatures far from each lair,
Likely wondering how
They had ended up there.
Nimbus storm clouds opened above my roof
No thunder, just a meow and a woof
Raining down were canine paws
and kitties with scratching claws
A glitch in Mother Nature caused the goof
dad did not like cats
Posh acted like his shadow ~
he wept when she died
Little puss puss
on my knee
surveys the world
in window light.
She dreams of mice
glad rainbow birds
fragrant feasts
with milk to lap.
Her gracious love
forms a womb
where I bask
to cushion cares.
The silent meows
and paddy paws
loose tangleweed
of man speak.
In grey sheets twisted, mind in repeats,
a brown labrador snores beneath the cover's warmth.
The chill of breeze floats in with gentle ease,
my heart trapped by this chocolate form.
His snores a lullaby, tail thumps in dreams,
chasing squirrels, slobbery kisses reign.
My heart's melting, caught in furry schemes,
this labrador's snoring is my heart's refrain.
The day's jpegs loop, but night's calm I claim,
with labrador snores, my worries fade.
In this sweet chaos, my heart's at play,
stuck with this bundle of joy, in endless stay.
In snoring charm, my heart finds its way,
with labrador love, I'll stay.
Muddy dog paws frequent laundry piles
At dusky dawn
a scamper of paws
resounds on parquet
and marbled halls.
The Obermeier tinkles
ancient ivory vibrates
in a concerto
of feline chords.
Soprano meows contend
with the garden quartet
of iridescent birds
rapt joyously
in kingly melodies.
pitter-patter paws
sneaky little squirrels scamper
hiding in big tree
Beware dear mousey
cat D is stalking
primed to pounce
and visit devastation
upon your nest
of velvet down.
I've plinthed my claws;
a linen napkin
is coiled
round my neck
to mop red gravy
and sumptuous fat
when they dye
my twitching whiskers.
So, nestle close
little mouselings
make haste to scurry!
On meow buses
no cat fusses.
Sweet little kitties
meow rodent ditties;
deck out bunting
time for hunting.
With pounding paws
furries prime claws.
Amid glad rasping
there is no fasting.
i brought you home on a summer night
so small and warm, a fuzzy light
you ran through rooms without a care
your tiny paws were everywhere
you got chubbier, full of play
pouncing on toys throughout the day
you’d bite my hand, then curl in tight
and sleep beside me every night
you stopped eating but stayed by me
still followed softly faithfully
you looked at me like i was home
and laid beside me not alone
i didn’t see you slip away
my mom just told me yesterday
i searched the spots you used to hide
and sat there once or twice and cried
it’s quiet now where you would be
no tiny steps to come find me
your little life went by so fast
but you’re the kind that always lasts
his spirit dances all around
in every soft and gentle sound
a light that shines beyond the gloom
even in silence, his presence filled the room
Pets Poetry Contest // Sponsored by: Rob Carmack
Contest Judged: 9/7/2025 6:49:00 PM
( 9th Place )
Written: September 02, 2025
He waits at the edge of morning,
ears angled toward a distant sound.
A single breath, a quiet length
then he bounds, unstoppable
through the thin gold sliver of sunlight
that slips underneath the door.
His eyes bring the weight of wonder:
Each step a question, a story.
The flick of his tail is a language of love.
cherishing quiet contentment.
I kneel and he rests in...
A soft warmth burning against my hand
and for a fleeting, perfect heartbeat
the world is nothing but fur,
sunlight and the trust
that lives in the spaces between.
Every flick of his tail brings
a story only our hearts recall.
She used to be fast
and bouncy,
but after two strokes
her head began to tilt
over her rolling neck
and podgy body.
Yet, through bleary eyes,
she saw off
starlings and cats,
toppling into them
with her comic
John Wayne walk.
When called
She would stagger sideways
wet nose tracking the sound,
then lurch forward,
tongue lolling,
a wide grin of recognition
plastered over her fuzzy face,
her brain.
Near swift streams
Hear loud screams
Dear ones unsteady
Gear up—make ready!
Fear causes pause
Bear paws claws—
Bead on the Grizzly
Lead story too grisly
Dead hide becomes rug
Deed told with a shrug
After working long hours, I can come home to rest.
As soon as I place my key into the door, I can hear a series of steps.
It is the steps of my little daughter.
She is my baby.
My first born from a person that gave her up for a better life.
I am her dad and I love her.
My only wish is that she can know my future child or that she is reincarnated as my human daughter.
Her little paws warm my hands
I may never know the warmth of the hand of a human child
As I am cursed to be alone forever and with no family
Let her paws be the fire I need!
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