Like the leopard
which not a spot can change
or zebra their stripes a-one
a mother's love
for her tiger cub
in winter snow
or summer sun
may never be undone
but when out tiger hunting
in all kinds of weather
far from the calm of an ashram
for bait a goat is often tethered
its fate... a sacrificial lamb
is impossible!
I can’t count stripes
when the zebras won’t hold still!
The middle finger of God
is mocking me!
If you run away,
I can’t work
for National Geographic
or learn a damn thing
in this life
of purified conscience,
filtered concepts,
and dirty
magazines
As the leopard
can't change its spots
the zebra of which
there are species three
(Burchell's, Mountain and Grévy's)
its stripes also cannot
black-and-white
supposedly
but white on black
front-to-back
in reality
it's cryptic colouration
a synonym
for animal camouflage
for which an entourage
of biologists resound
with unproven hypotheses
(e.g., keeping flies off in summer)
and specious theories abound
Look, with what amazing artistry,
God has painted the tiger and the zebra.
In zig zag alignment, in a neat pattern,
Not complex as the design on the hood of a cobra.
How different they are, yet how similar!
No human hand can craft such an art work.
Like streams, their lines glisten in wilderness.
Strangely they are visible even in the dark.
In flaming colors of black and white,
On a zebra, the lines run in a neat stripe.
No two lines are quite the same.
Neither animal, a replica of the other type.
Through different tracks, they roam.
One reminds us of day and night.
The other, of dusk and golden morn.
Both wear coats of fur in stripes so bright.
Their streaks, a lovely script God has penned
These bands of white and black tend,
To tell aloud that opposites can thrive,
And beauty is born where contrasts blend.
gracing our waters
wearing your stripes with pride
far from dry grasslands
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
rainbow zebra was outrageously out
he pranced and wiggled his tail about
proud of his quirky ways and his unique design
a quintessential artist; I am glad he is mine.
Okapi thought he was a horse
Attempted to blend in, of course
Zebras kicked him out
Horses ran about
But okapi had no remorse
In a race on the savannah
fleet of foot is the cheetah
at up to 75 mph
no animal can beat her
and with a top speed of 50 mph
lion is the second fastest cat
tho' at
38 mph a leopard can't change its spots
the lion can do that
cubs are born with them and later lose
to become lion spots have-nots
an ostrich third place will land
at up to 43 mph
if it takes its head out of the sand
tho' cheetahs don't have racing stripes zebra do
(Burchell's, mountain and Grévy's)
but they're no boon for at 40 mph
they're only 10 mph ahead of a yellow baboon
however no matter how fast they all run
none can beat the speeding bullet
fired from a hunter's gun
Zora Zebra does not know how to be subtle does she?
I looked at my cousin, who is snotty notoriously.
What’s going on? I asked this uppity Georgia peach.
Look down there she said, nodding toward the beach.
Zora was coming up for another breath of sea water air.
I noticed right away that there was something added there.
A boob job on a zebra! What? I said to my snooty cousin.
In a week, she said, we will see a dozen.
The Zebra has a puzzling name,
Alphabet letters strangely cast,
It finishes off with the first,
After starting off with the last!
The Zebra is a cunning beast,
It blends with the waving grass,
With stripes upon its body and head
And even stripes upon its – legs!
If a zebra came calling, would I let him in?
Bet I would by rule of the chinny chin chin
Where would he sleep? Would he need a feathered bed?
He might not be choosy, my inner thoughts said.
Would this zebra have a name or would I have to name him too?
Would he try to eat my sock, dungarees, overalls and left shoe?
Why do I concern myself about oddities like this?
Would he be a mister, a Mrs. or a sassy Miss?
Her left side and right side are not the same
Zebra from Kenya, hunter’s big game
Her stripes are as diverse and unique as they can be
Sometimes in groups of twos, tens or threes
Allow the rain
Hunt for berries
Echoes cast our shadows
Accept the start
Deduce the summer nights
Lemon scented mead
Initiate the Eclipse
Escape the Bunker
Silver snow storms with warm shelter
Protect the youth
Educate society in past innovations
Allow for Patience and Understanding
Create solutions to advance Humanity
Erect monuments to recognize Greatness
We are now swimming up the Boteti River, we twenty-three
To get to grasslands and savannah woodlands, you see
swimming is fun, sang the zebras, and the eating is free
Zebra was reading up on other foods
He had heard that veggies put you in good moods
Grasses are what we eat his father said.
Put down that book and go to bed.
Zebra was fascinated by the diet stuff.
He read about sweet sugars, sure enough.
I would like some pie and cake, and maybe meat.
You already have plenty of marvelous grasses to eat!
Come on Dad, give me some new stuff, okay?
His Daddy bought him some bakery stuff that day.
Zebra did not like any of it, and guess what, hark!
He went back to devouring leaves, twigs, plants and bark.
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