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Phyllis Moorman

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Tag Archives: animals

Pondering Hibernation

22 Wednesday Feb 2017

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Inspiration, Life, Nature

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

animals, inspiration, meditation, Nature, seasons, spring, Winter

Sleeping bear graphic

I prepared for winter as if a bear,
eating enough to store a little fat,
prepping my den with soft bedding
and surrounding myself with my
favorite things before thinking about
curling up like a ball of furry fluff.

Then the cold came, and I hunkered in
my corner, ready for hibernation to begin.
Well, eight hours later, I woke to the
pressing needs of primal functions,
cramps in muscles I didn’t know I had,
and hunger growling through my tummy.

How do they do it? The bears,
the reptiles; the bees and the bats?
How do they slow their muscles down,
close their minds to their surroundings
and let sleep overtake their bodies?

Do they eat until they get drowsy,
simply too tired to move?
Do their bodies naturally adapt
to the changing environment?
Or do they meditate into quietude,
re-awakened with the spring?

Just wondering…

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Shopping Like a Tiger

10 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Humor, Nature, Seasonal

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

animals, Christmas, gifts, humor, Nature, perseverance, seasonal, shopping, tiger

Slow and stealth like a tiger,
I weave through the holiday browsers,
dodging ribboned mines of packages,
children being tugged through the menagerie,
and rivulets of sodas splashed onto the floor.

I am preying upon the store that
advertised the ultimate selection of
gifts for the whole family, and I sense
that I must be quick and agile if
I’m to acquire my targeted gifts and
return to my den unscathed.

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Dancing to Different Beats

01 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Humor, Life, Nature

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Tags

acceptance, animals, dance, Fear, humor, life, music, Nature, poems, Poetry, seasonal, seasons, Snakes, summer

We looked deeply into each other’s eyes,
Your head held high and proud,
Mine slightly lowered and held fast as we
Passed in the grass.

I spoke briefly, noticing how you had grown
Through the summer,
And thankfully you didn’t hiss a reply
But smoothly glided on,
The perfect glissade to my Texas two-step
In the opposite direction.

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Learning Compassion

05 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Children, Family, Inspiration, Life, Love, Nature

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

animals, children, compassion, dogs, family, heart, inspiration, life, loss, memories, Nature, poems, Poetry, sadness

I thought I knew compassion,
but when I looked into his eyes,
I knew I’d never felt that way.

The tenderness he offered a lost dog,
the inner need he had to help,
to makes things better for her
brought warmth to my heart.

Then I watched his seven-year-old eyes swell with tears
as they walked the streets and found her owner.
The dog of his dreams was gone,
returned to her scared and punitive owner,
and his heart was breaking.

As I watched this young boy walk away,
head hanging, brown eyes saddened by the struggle,
I knew he was learning doing the right thing
can feel wrong sometimes,
but I could also see that he can’t help but be who he is,
and that he’d do it again.

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Aardvark

01 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Humor, Nature

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

animals, humor, Nature, poem, Poetry

You may think me a blended breed

of pig, kangaroo, and bear;

but I’m really quite unique,

the last of the species breed.

 

I’m not that small of stature,

but my strength is in my toes;

I’ll dig and burrow deep

in search of my favorite prey.

 

I knock their houses down

but unlike the famous wolf,

I don’t announce I’m coming

and I don’t huff and puff.

 

I don’t hunt for food in daytime,

the light hurts my tiny eyes;

besides, they’d see my coming

and scatter different ways

 

My palate is quite selective,

and presentation is key—

I like my termites sub-style,

affixed to my foot-long tongue.

 

I’m not usually this social

nor verbose as I am tonight,

so I’ll quit ere I get tongue-tied,

for that would ruin my life!

 

4/1/15

 

I read a poetry challenge to write on a subject starting with letter ‘A’ and write in negation.   Being April Fool’s Day, I couldn’t resist having a little fun with it.

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Concrete Animal Poetry Challenge

19 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Humor, Nature, Poetic Challenges

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Tags

animals, humor, Nature, poems, poetic challenges, Poetry, Snakes, writing 201

Snake:  I’m Impressed (Sorta)

concrete poem february 2015

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Never a Free Ride

27 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Humor, Life, Nature, Philosophy

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Tags

animals, birds, free ride, humor, inspiration, oxpecker, philosophy, poems, Poetry, rhino, rhinoceros

Oxpecker on rhinoceros

Beautiful little oxpecker
atop the rhinoceros;

why doesn’t Rhino protest
as you perch upon his back?

Do you tickle his fancy as
you clean bugs from off his skin;

Or are free meals and transportation,
reward for screeching warnings
about dangers far and near?

No matter the rhyme or reason
for your symbiotic life,

You bear homage to the adage,
“There are no free rides anywhere.”

Photo: Red billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) on rhino.Sabi Sands, South Africa. Photo by Lee R. Berger. Attribution: Profberger at en.wikipedia

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I wish I were a puppy, for…

07 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Family, Life, Love, Nature

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Tags

animals, dogs, family, life, love, Nature, poems, Poetry, puppies

when I’d give you puppy eyes,
you’d smile and reach out to hold me,
and I’d jump at the invitation.

As you held me in your arms,
you’d be covered in wet kisses;
then we’d settle in for the evening
snuggling on the couch.

Since I could see better in the dark,
I’d protect you from all harm;
and as you peacefully slept,
I’d be right there by your side.

We’d tell each other secrets
and share our hopes and dreams;
We’d be the best of friends,
forever and till the end.

20140508-094213.jpg

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Missing You

23 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Family, Humor, Life, Love

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

animals, companions, dogs, family, humor, life, longing, love, poems, Poetry

Staring pensively,
I keep watching
for you to come home.
I can’t remember how long
you’ve been gone,
but I miss you so.

I’m sure sitting listlessly
won’t bring you back
any sooner, but
I just can’t seem to focus
on anything but you.

We have such fun
when we’re together,
and I get so lonely
when you’re not here.

May wishing you here,
make it so.

Lovingly,

Fido

20140422-204153.jpg

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Tweeters and Woofers

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Nature

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Tags

animals, birds, Nature, poems, Poetry, walk

20140325-214541.jpg

Morning speakers,
colorfully feathered
tweeters and woofers,
fill the crisp morning air with
stereophonic music, a great
accompaniment to my daily walk.

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Birds of a Feather

26 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Life, Love, Nature

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

animals, birds, life, love, Nature, poems, Poetry

Penguins are fascinating birds; their habits and actions seem so human-like at times. This picture particularly struck me.
20140226-090139.jpg

Birds of a feather
walking hand in hand,
we’ve traveled together

o’er many years spanned.
Lovers, companions,
’twas always the plan,

so we joined as one
‘neath glowing twilight
of the setting sun.

Not even foresight
could have foreseen
the wonderful life

we have shared and seen.

Written in the spirit of Robert Frost and Dante, I have adapted the terza rima.

Photo from publicdomainpictures, http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=38784&picture=penguin-love

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The Guard Cat

20 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Humor, Nature

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Tags

animals, cats, home, humor, Nature, poems, Poetry

20140220-203415.jpg

Blonde cat,
wandering free,
proudly strides through my yard
as if it lives here, then perches
possessively.

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Hibernate

04 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Mountains, Nature, Weather

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

animals, mountains, Nature, poems, Poetry, rest, Tranquility, weather

Bears do it,
Snakes do it,
So why, oh why,
Can’t I do it!

20140204-095510.jpg

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Punxsutawney Phil

02 Sunday Feb 2014

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Humor, Nature, Weather

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

animals, humor, Nature, poems, Poetry, weather

Dear Phil,

Hi! Just seeing how you’re doing.
Haven’t seen much of you lately.
Hope you’ve been cozy and warm.
Did you remember, today’s your day?

Everyone is waiting for you
to pop your head out for a minute.
I’d invite you to stay and frolic,
but I’ve had enough Winter.

On the other hand, though,
they say statistics don’t lie,
and your accuracy rate
is rather low at 37%.

So, come, play, stay a while.
Enjoy the day, sunny or not.
Happy Groundhog Day!

Sincerely,
Your Friend

20140202-072655.jpg

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Mooving

21 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Health, Life, Nature

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

animals, arthritis, calf, fibromyalgia, health, poems, Poetry

I feel as if I’m a newborn calf
trying to stand for the first time,
ankles shaking, knees wobbling,
thighs tingling with anticipation
of a successful rise to upright.

It’s how I start my day,
focusing on the initial rise,
leaning and swaying as I
walk toward the kitchen
for that first sip of milk.

20140121-203912.jpg

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My Deer Friends

10 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by P Moorman in Animals and Insects, Nature

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

animals, deer, fawn, Nature, poem, Poetry

20131110-160622.jpg

Blink! Slow down!
Slam on the brakes!
Deer crossing ahead!

*********

She was absolutely beautiful,
her body sleek and strong
as she leapt across the road
running, turning slightly
to make sure her fawn followed.

Then scurrying to the underbrush,
they settled, invisible to the naked eye,
secure in knowing they were safe, for now,
with water and forage nearby.

The beauty of nature,
Near my own backyard.

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