Happy World Animal Day (3 Endangered Animal Limericks)
In Honor Of World Animal Day, celebrated annually on October 4th, here are three endangered species limericks: Limerick Odes to the Tasmanian Forester Roo, the Hippopotamus, and the African Wild Ass. (I previously posted my Rhino limerick, which is included in the International Poetry Anthology For Rhino in a Shrinking World.)
Limerick Ode To The Tasmanian Forester Roo
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The Tasmanian Forester Roo
Is endangered. So here’s what to do:
Sign petitions. Give cash.
Host a fund-raising bash,
Else its time on this earth will be through.
Limerick Ode To The Hippopotamus
By Madeleine Begun Kane
When I look at a hippo I wonder:
What’s the size of its herbivore plunder?
At three point five tons,
It clearly outguns
Any crops as it tears them asunder.
Limerick Ode To The African Wild Ass
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The African Wild Ass, alas,
Is at risk. It may soon come to pass
That the last one dies out.
It’s endangered, no doubt.
This horse-cousin may vanish en masse.
UPDATE: February 15 is Hippo Day and Endangered Species Day falls on the third Friday of May.
Tags: African Wild Ass, Animal & Pet Humor, Animal Verse, Endangered Species, Endangered Species Day, Extinct Animals, February Holidays, Hippo, Hippo Day, Hippopotamus, May Holidays, Odd Holidays, Rhino, Tasmanian Forester Roo, World Animal Day
The hippo – a tank on four feet
Protected from all it might meet
Except for a man
With a gun in his hand
Who thinks that a trophy is neat
I thought of Rhino, but the situation is so dire that i couldnt do anything but rant
The almost extinct Rhinocerostious
Is dying to fix the floppiest
Of Asian impotent men
Killing, maiming and then
The profits are simply preposterous
A lovely tribute to all three animals! The hippo limerick is my favorite. :)
The Tasmanian Forester Roo
Will never be seen at the zoo.
There’s never a Roo in Albannia.
Now that’s what I call a real mania,
And we owe it all mainly to you.
I loved these, but my favorite opening line–
The African Wild Ass, alas,
You are the undisputed queen! Love these limericks, en masse :-)
Thanks so much everyone for your kind words and thanks for the fun verse Mike, Sideview,and Marty!
Good ones. So sad indeed if we would lose these animals.
Thanks, Mary! Very true.