Short Manatee Poems

boys in speedboats
racing down the river –
manatee...

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Sea mother awaits
The warm water is breaking
Manatee calving...

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In southern waters
as an endangered species 
the manatee swims...

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a brown manatee
swims at last in blue freedom—
then drowns in whirlpool...

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manatee 'neath bridge

endangered species rebounds --

sighting evokes joy




*Entry for Carol Brown's Nature Haiku contest...

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DeSantis is losing the fight;
he’s firing the zookeep tonight.
It’s shifting to blue
at the genderqueer zoo...
The manatees ain’t acting right.

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Yeah, just google it - 'manatee dies from sex'...

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The Sailors' Mermaid

There once was a manatee named Mary.
She, a mammal was not very hairy.
One day while at sea.
She said this shouldn't be!
So, she bought a blond wig from Sea-Fairy.

© Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen

Poetic Form Limerick...

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Seems Santa is off to Key West,
exhausted, in need of a rest.
Break from insanity,
visiting manatee.
(His wife’s kin, as he likes to jest.)

—————

for the A Funny Santa Limerick Poetry Contest
sponsored by Tania Kitchin
written 12/21/22
...

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A Florida man tried to ride
On a gal was exceedingly wide.
He tickled her thighs,
And met his demise,
When that manatee rolled on her side.


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Actual headline: "Florida Man Arrested for Illegal Ride on Manatee"

Seems like a Florida Man limerick series might be in order...
(some poetic license may be taken :-)...

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Awakened with need to visit restroom, did make that run
Dizziness hits with faintiness, feelings of passing totalily out, falling
Ambulance was called early in morn; Princess could have outrun
How could anything so slow bounce and twist when crawling
Snail's pace arrived alive, then Manatee pace looked after appalling

Contest:Shaz Cheesman
Contest: 50 words...

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If I had a Man Friday, 
I would ask him to get me a sea cow.

This manatee and I would have 
so much fun, and how!

We would swim in the cleanest waters.
Never taking a bath again.

We would splash and blow bubbles 
I would nudge him on his chin!

We would play with a maritime band
and precariously sashay,

I guess my wishing is silly 
since I don’t have a Man Friday....

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We went to Manatee Lagoon
But it was not quite opportune 
For if there was a manatee,
It wasn’t there for us to see.

To make the best of getting there,
An hour’s drive to who-knows-where,
We took some pictures (smile, please!)
Beside some sculptured manatees.

So looking back, those photos will
Remind me that we can fulfill
Some journeys that we undertake
With memories and proof that’s fake....

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I love courage fear and hate
 All Ships view old stormy sailors arrears endurance
 In adventure and life sails 
As the sailors disappears
 loving you Manatee so quiet 
He's in the galley eating squid seafood diet 
The Son and all the sins of this world
Our like an old seashell pearl 
Sparkles like in a diamond 
Like on the sand on the muddy shores


12/!!/20
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr  2020...

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I found a sphinx in my backyard
And a manatee turned up dead
I raised a flag, all went to one knee
A hissing package fell on my head!

I was harassed by a baby squirrel
My turkey got doubled up tariff
DNA linked me to a cold case crime
Now I have to talk to the sheriff!

A child prodigy gets to stay
I lost at chess, so now I'm gone
My pregnant wife's hooked on opioids
My life is a current news spawn!...

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Machiavellian schemes besmirch a murky mangrove calm
A propeller breaks the tranquil glass over an underwater farm
Neath the broken still, a peaceful giant stirs with alarm
and no consolation is found as noise churns it's quiet charm

The serene spots need to be augmented for they are our balm
Ecosystems need protection from greedy developers’ harm
Empyrean Earth for all, is in our active palms, giving alms…


(5/12/21: Custom ketch; KKMI Richmond)...

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Through murky waters
a manatee sees me;
brave he is,
but knows not 
my kind
or does,
has shouldered mine,
the reckless,
careless.

I look down at wet feet
planning escape from
eyes that yank 
shame from me. 
I am the species
juggernaut
and he, a refugee,
gliding back and forth
alongside a slippery dock,
his back a revelation of 
crisscrossed shapes

he needs me to see.

And when I whisper
'Will you be here tomorrow'
he answers, 'you tell me.'...

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(During contemplation)
What are we? Thought the flea,
there must be more than what we see.

(With careful consideration)
Am I free? Thought the bee,
and is there much aside from thee.

(Before deep meditation)
Who holds the key? Thought the manatee,
pondering while in the sea.

(With loving admiration)
How can this be? Thought the tree,
that so much life depends on me.


(With limited cognition)
What’s on T.V.? Asked he to she,
then walked off to take a pee....

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