Z is for Zebra (On Beyond)

What lies beyond Zebra? Past the letter Z? There appears to be a whole new branch of critters that exist solely beyond the letter Z and zebra.

On Beyond Zebra written by Dr. Seuss always fascinated me with the strange creatures and the strange letters that looked sort of like runes, or the ogham alphabet. That was before I knew what the ogham alphabet was. I think I imagined trying to write sentences with these new letters, I don't  was successful in this venture.

There were a few books of Dr. Seuss that feature new creatures, from On Beyond Zebra, If I Ran the Zoo, and If I Ran the Circus are the main ones that featured undiscovered creatures. But the thin about many Dr. Seuss books is that there was usual an animal, or place with a strange and ever-long/how-do-you-pronounce that name in the stories. I definitely remember the names, and certainly imagining what those places looked like, beyond the actually stories.

What are your favourite Seussian creatures from any of the books? Leave me a comment below, Dear Readers.

Beyond the Known

When striking the last line

at the bottom of the letter Zed.

You should know there is a lot more than

what you already know.

At the bottom of the letter Zed,

there is a letter called a Yuzz.

What you already know

about life after Zebra?

There is a letter called a Yuzz,

the beginning of the 'after Z safari,'

about life after Zebra,

and all of the things that exist.

The beginning of the 'after Z safari'

will surprise you with it's diversity

and all of the things that exist,

beyond what you know.

Will surprise you with it's diversity

and maybe some rhyming,

beyond what you know;

maybe even want to know them all.

And maybe some rhyming

as you begin to explore the terrain,

maybe want to know they all,

like some sort of game.

As to begin to explore the terrain,

you should know there is a lot more;

like some sort of game

when striking the last line.

U is for UP (Great Day for)

The Letter of the day is U. It was hard to find a U title to use, so I had to get creative and use a title that features the letter U. I will utilized my grey matter. The umpteen entries for words that starts with Un that I find, but I won't take umbrage with that. Maybe I'll just buy a ukelele and sing you this book? It just so happens that Dr. Seuss is good for that-alas I don't have a ukelele-with a book called, Great Day for Up.

A rousing tale to help you wake up and start your day. Although, I am just a tad cynical when it comes to early risers, or getting up in the morning in general. I tend to like my bed and being burritoed in my warm and comfy blankets. But get UP I do.

At least a Great Day for Up is a good book to write a pantoum about.

This book was (and still is) part of my collection, although over the years this said collection has shrunk some, and I absolutely love Dr. Seuss in any form. His way with words makes you want to read the books louder and in some cases faster. Dr. Seuss books were staples of my bedtime routine for years. And I am not afraid to admit that sometimes I will take out one of his books to read. They never get old! Green Eggs and Ham, On Beyond Zebra, If I Ran the Zoo, or Scrambled Eggs Super are just a few of my favourites.

Not much else to say, except that I am UP today!

Here's your poetic slice for today, Dear Readers. I don't try to rhyme when I write, as most times it comes off as trite. (Okay, you had that coming). So, I pose to you what are your favourite Dr. Seuss stories? Please leave me a comment below.

Cheers!

UP, You Say? UP!

This little book's wishes,

states hardly more than two dozen words

(I haven't counted though)

about the joys of getting up.

States hardly more than two dozen words,

mostly using that two letter word

about the joys of getting up,

usually when the sun slowly rises.

Mostly using that two letter word

to rally the troops to get them outta bed,

usually when the sun slowly rises,

but others will UP in the middle of night.

To rally the troops to get them outta bed,

because that is what you do, right?

But others will UP in the middle of night,

but it is still UP! UP! UP!

Because that is what you do, right?

I prefer to avoid the status quo, you know,

but it is still UP! UP! UP!

Faster and earlier each day.

I prefer to avoid the status quo, you know,

but taking my time to rise though

faster and earlier each day,

I will still slowly get UP in order to follow

But taking my time to rise though

(I haven't counted though)

I will still slowly get UP in order to follow;

this little book's wishes.

R is for Round Robin

I had a huge collection of books as a kid, and I still have a bunch of the books including today's book, Round Robin by Jack Kent. It is the story of a very hungry robin, who eats and eats, and by the time winter arrives he, 'looks more like a ball, than a bird' (actually line from the book).

It's a funny little story with some pretty awesome artwork that chronicles Round Robin's attempt to get south by hopping the whole way. He is chased by foxes and cars, sliding on ice, conversation and generally fearing for his life, until surprise, surprise he is able to fly the last bit on his own, because he lost weight with all that Hippity Hop, Bumpity Bumping southward.

But my favourite was and is 'Hippity Hop, Slipity Slide'', when he is sliding down the road.

We are have felt like Round Robin, just a little more, it won't hurt anything. But in reality, it is a good lesson in moderation, or watch out for foxes!

Little Bird Eat

Little Robin where have you gone?

All summer pecking at the seeds,

eating your fill and then some,

til you  become more of a ball, than a bird.

All summer pecking at the seeds,

called Round Robin, as you go,

til you become more of a ball, than a bird

and now winter is coming.

Called Round Robin, as you go,

must to the south you will travel

and now winter is coming

and there is no more seed.

Must to the south you will travel,

but to flap and flutter, now you stumble

and there is no more seed,

so off you set, hippity hopping...

But to flap and flutter, now you stumble

as you travel southward, 

so of you set, hippity hopping

and before you know it...

As you travel southward,

eating your fill and then some

and before you know it

Little Robin where have you gone.