About Jan:
It seems to me that I have taken an awfully long time to find my true voice. Now, writing ‘Nonsense Poems’ I am thoroughly enjoying myself. This year I have also re-discovered classical poetry and am writing sonnets and other rhyme and metre forms. I had never thought of children’s poetry although I’ve written short stories for children. I am just loving writing the poems and I’m finding that they leave my head in a space far away from its physical surroundings. It makes me wish I were a child again. It’s pure therapy.
A DAY AT THE ZOO
It was the cat who said, as she climbed out of bed
Is today the day we go to the Zoo?
Prince was teaching the rabbit, the one who’s blue,
To sit on my head, and be one of the crew
The day was cold, the duck said ah-choo
It’s freezing out there, I’m not going with you.
Duck, you know I’m the Prince, just look at my crown
Pure rabbit it is, it’s soft as down
I tuck Bunny around till his ears fall right down
They snuggle my own and steady my crown.
You’re just a duck, but I am the Prince
Won’t you do what I say without that wince?
The duck wrapped his scarf four times round his beak
And grumbling went off to change the week.
Is it Mumday or Chewsday or Whimsday he mumbles
Oh Duck – take your pick but bring Violet Crumbles.
Then we’re off to the Zoo to see Reginald Roo
Horace the Hippo, young Bruno and Pru.
Prudence the penguin started to flush
For on the Prince, she’d once had a crush
Come on, move quickly, you guys at the front
We’re here to see the Honey Bear stunt.
But Bruno the Bear was away that day
He’d gone to the Bank to collect his pay.
You pay that Bear to sit around here?
Chewing his bamboo, making us stare?
The Zooman nodded and showed us the path
To the Elephant park – they were taking their bath.
The cat saw pictures of lions on a sign
Saying I’m off to see some family of mine.
Prudence was sad she’d not seen her hero
The Zooman complained that the temp. was zero.
There was only one elephant out in the park
The bathroom was hidden away in the dark.
Bunny was tiring of being the crown
And he started wishing that he could get down.
Nothing was going the way he was wishing
So the Prince took a pelican off to go fishing
Everyone grumped about one thing or t’other
And Duck was quacking about his red brother
His mother was green, his sister was blue
How that had happened nobody knew.
So the Day at the Zoo turned into a flop
With everyone grizzling, way over the top
It’s not that bad, elephant blew on his trumpet
Two kids remembered to bring me a crumpet
The cat complained that the trip was a mess
And set of for home to change her dress.
Jan Darling
What wonderful whimsy!
Thank you Kyles – perhaps we could become the Whimsysters…
Hi Jan,
Darling, this quirky poem is loads of fun!
Loved it … shows such imagination!
Hope the duck sorts out his DNA and rabbit doesn’t develop LOFTY notions.
(P.S. Check typo. in last line)
Congrats,
Carole and Tony Flood
Turns out duck was a goose, inherited a barn and leases the loft to a funny bunny. Thanks for your message. Jan
Muy bonito…tiene gran imaginación !!! Graciass….
Gracias Juan Carlos y familia, estoy feliz de haberte entretenido