Poetry Thursday 141 - Signs

 I had a dream - not like Martin Luther King - that my cat had broken her tail! Also, something to do with tennis. 

 

Concerning Ginny

 

Look after my cat in a caring way,

Until I woke the other day,

Didn’t know whether to cry or laugh,

Her tail was neatly bent in half.

 

Everything is not as it seems,

particularly when it comes to dreams,

the cat has its organ of balance,

and can signal mood in abundance.

 

No worries over Ginny’s abilities,

still servicing her proclivities,

the indications were always there,

reality tops dreams everywhere.

©David L Atkinson April 2026

 

Game Set and Match

 Some with eyes squeezed shut just follow,

 some will turn to the right,

 some will turn to the left,

 some will see all set out before them,

 all are observing the same target.

©David L Atkinson April 2026

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 138 - Easter Bunny

 A fun time of year that is more of a new beginning than the turn of the year. 

Easter Bunny

 

A happy time from tragedy,

applied to the cute and cuddly,

whether it be rabbits or chicks,

the intention to sell chocolate bricks.

 

Supposedly a sign of rebirth,

mood lightening from dark winter’s dearth,

but really another opportunity for selling,

obscuring the message’s true meaning.

 

Opportunity to embrace newness again,

a natural world’s living campaign,

to protect our planet and save the future,

from the actions of the current caretaker.

 

Appealing to the fondness of the children,

with creatures and confectionery distraction,

hoping they will enjoy the reward,

and become more efficient landlord.

 ©David L Atkinson April 2026 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 113 - Rattus

 It struck me the other day that rats get a really raw deal. My daughter had a pet rat when she was a child, and it opened my eyes to the nature of these much-maligned creatures. Although it may seem extreme that a whole species is ostracised, what else can you say? 

Rattus  

 

It has to be our fault,  

been done with a pinch of salt,  

maligning a whole species,  

with thoughtless absurdities.  

 

No black and white suit,  

or a funny walk that’s cute,  

more a furry scurry,  

smelling curiously of curry.  

 

In a life so short,  

hardly fair sport,  

to deny an animal right,  

in a species so bright.  

 

When a creature just needs a warm bed,  

a roof overhead,  

a shoulder to ride on,  

and a friendly companion.  

 

Mazes and runs for challenges, 

no more food scavenges,  

shelter from outside storm,  

in a house of love and warm.  

©David L Atkinson October 2025 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 103 - Patting a Pachyderm

 The richness of human life is often embellished by interactions with other species. It is a set of experiences, interacting with animals, which seems necessary to the majority of us. 

Patting a Pachyderm

 

I didn’t have its permission,

the keeper gave us that,

she could have made lots on commission,

lived like an aristocrat.

 

We visitors were fully enthralled,

she was as placid as a millpond,

we touched her gently when called,

intelligently she didn’t respond.

 

Her skin was warm, dry and rough,

I felt an indescribable thrill,

feeling a tenderness so tough,

the presence of powerful goodwill.

 

I wondered what she was feeling,

for me unfathomable privilege,

her response was unrevealing,

her superiority is acknowledged.

 

Without doubt she had presence,

lucky to be in her space,

the power of her essence,

put we humans in our place.

©David L Atkinson July 2025 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 101 - Silverback

More from the wonderful natural world. All creatures great and small.

 Silverback

 

Massive in both ego and size,

being aggressive is no surprise.

It falls short of following through

an attack – just as well for you.

 

A gentle, giant, family beast,

caring for each member large to least.

An animal with power to be a thriller,

the dominant silverback mountain gorilla.

© David L Atkinson February 2016 

Woodlouse

 

Is it an insect or some kind of fish

it lives on land but what is its wish.

Would it be happier under the sea,

where it could roam about totally free?

                                                         

A dull looking creature with hard outer shell,

creeping ‘neath stones and doors as well.

An unwelcome visitor inside your house,

the persistently silent, harmless woodlouse.

© David L Atkinson January 2016

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 100 - Natural World

 As time flies by my interest seems to be drawn to the wonders of the natural world.

Night Lepidoptera

 

No heavily beating wings at night,

subtle shades that diffuse the ambient light.

A whispered, feathery brush against cheek,

resulting in a piercing, nervy shriek.

 

Automatically drawn towards the light

cooking themselves in suicidal flight.

No reason to worry yourself to a froth,

It is only a common or garden moth.

© David L Atkinson November 2015 

Duck

 

A fowl which communicates in quack,

allows water to flow from its back,

that waddles, dabbles and paddles in equal measure,

allowing the casual observer endless pleasure.

 

Colourful or drab but always waterproof,

charming, amusing never aloof,

a delight for every quality cook,

our garrulous, feathery and tasty duck.

© David L Atkinson June 2025 

Owl

 

Death on silent wings whispers by,

searching the Earth with keenest eye,

ominous and powerful in the darkness,

poised to strike with lethal directness.

 

Exudes a calmness in the daylight,

stares at humans, eye clear and bright,

this bird is no common fowl,

but the silent and powerful owl.

© David L Atkinson December 2015 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 89 - Fauna

 Animals give us lots to talk about and enjoy. At various times, I have 'had a go poetically', some of which appear below. 

Rhinoceros

 

The rhino is a serious beast,

careless of where it places great feet,

wearing its suit of grey armour,

a dimly sighted herbivore.

 

A private, keratin-horned creature,

threatened by hunter and poacher,

if we fail to curb the rhino abuse,

loss of the creature's what we’ll produce.

© David L Atkinson April 2025 

Night Lepidoptera 

 

No heavily beating wings at night, 

subtle shades that diffuse the ambient light. 

A whispered, feathery brush against cheek, 

resulting in a piercing, nervy shriek. 

 

Automatically drawn towards the light 

cooking themselves in suicidal flight. 

No reason to worry yourself to a froth, 

It is only a common or garden moth.

Duck 

 

A fowl which communicates in quack, 

allows water to flow from its back, 

that waddles, dabbles and paddles in equal measure, 

allowing the casual observer endless pleasure. 

 

Colourful or drab but always waterproof, 

charming, amusing never aloof, 

a delight for every quality cook, 

our garrulous, feathery and tasty duck. 

© David L Atkinson November 2015 

God Bless