Giants of Bristol Zoo

majestic city elephants

who have reigned in Bristol Zoo

for more than a hundred years

each a character through and through

cheeky Zebi, who stole straw hats

from many an elegant Victorian punter

a gift to the Zoo from a maharajah 

she was greatly loved wonder

Rajah, sported magnificent tusks

only male through the Zoo`s history

arriving from Calcutta in 1913

he certainly added to Bristol`s story

Judy was a sweet little character

not tall in stature but big in heart

bringing a smile to all who met her

in her decorated blanket, looking smart

Rosie was a very different elephant

she was large, strong and gave rides

such a character seen around the zoo

blanket and howdah strapped to her sides

Christina and Wendy who lived together

taken for walks across the nearby Downs

for these two were amazing mammals

playful pachyderms in the zoo grounds

after losing Christina, Wendy was the last

people have missed them, that`s evident

Bristol Zoo rolls on to it`s next adventure 

that will hopefully include an new elephant!

(C) Lissie bull 2022

 

Grieving!

Great loss felt within my grieving heart
Remembering all our precious moments

Images of our life, create tears in the soul
Everywhere around me, I feel you there
Visions of you fill my head in my dreams

I know you walk silently beside me

Now you have your wings and fly free

Grief is an emotion that helps heal us

(C) Lissie Bull 2022

Once 

in a while

in the middle

of an ordinary life

love gives us a fairy tale 

(C) Lissie bull 2022

Hint of Summertime

Patterns surround us

textures all about

colours every where

see so much while out

flowers in the park

cobbles on the ground

people dress up bright

music all around

curtains billowing

washing on the line

smiles on people`s faces

it must be summertime!

(C) Lissie bull 2022

Accept what is

Let go what was

Believe in what will be.

 

 Penguins

These cheeky little feathery chappies

in smart black jackets they waddle

among the boulders on the shore edge

before gathering together in a huddle

Penguins are amazing creatures

who love to toboggan down a slope

slithering down on their stomachs 

than back again, they don't need a rope!

they're so comical and friendly

diving down and splashing around 

confidently swimming through water

masters of the ocean, they've been crowned.

flapping their wings while waddling along

watch these handsome penguins go

amazing flightless aquatic birds 

come by and visit them and say hello!

(c) Lissie Bull 2020

This poem was inspired from chatting with a friend about the music we listened to in the 80s and all the things that we did at the time. It was great to reminisce  I wrote this original poem in 2013

 Porch Steps 

After the end of a hard days work

sat on the porch in the evening sun

listening to music from bygone times

sipping a beer now the work is done

Blondie, Twisted Sister and even Kiss

Thin Lizzy, Status Quo and much more

awesome music from a great era

you`ll find your foot is tapping the floor

as the music plays you`re filled with joy

with each song you remember a scene

from places you saw, to fashion you wore

and it still all sounds so crisp and clean

sat there on the porch reminiscing

for time has flown by so fast

remembering the good life you had

listening to the music from your past

© Lissie Bull 2022

 

Playful Ferrets

Watching them zipping in or out

as they bobbing up and down

with a quick flash of a tail 

inquisitive eyes all around

never staying still for very long

racing past you in a moment

then nosing at everything

ferrets full of merriment.

racing all around the garden

chasing others through the grass

then pouncing on all that moves

peering through french window glass

popping up in daft places

exploring all our treasures

with bright eyes and cheerful smiles

these awesome playful creatures

soft of fur and a cheeky grins

hear them chittering all the while

sharp teeth that gnaw happily through toys

these sweet ferrets have their own style,

at the end of a playful day

with sleepy eyes, they curl up tight

inside their soft comfy snugs, as

they fall asleep, we say good night!

© Lissie Bull 2022