A DREAM COME TRUE & THANKFULS

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Like most Thursdays, I am participating in the Thoroughly Poetic Thursday poetry challenge hosted by Angel Sammy and Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats. They provided an inspiration photo of some totally adorable young pandas. My poem follows the photo.

 

 

A Dream Come True

Black and white can sometimes be boring
but not when it comes as a playful panda.
My love affair began in the ’50s when an uncle
gifted me with a stuffed, musical panda.
It played “Three Blind Mice” when I wound it.
Why the maker chose that song—a mystery.
Why not A ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic”? In the ’50s
we thought pandas wear a type of bear.
When pandas came to the National Zoo,
I was a frequent visitor—watching for hours
as they meticulously stripped bamboo leaves,
ears bobbing up and down as they chewed.
One snowy day when the zoo was deserted,
my vigilance paid an unexpected dividend:
An invitation to view those lovely creatures
from mere inches away, a chain-link fence
the only barrier. The urge to touch tempting,
but those powerful jaws a warning to only
admire from my close but secure vantage
point and savor a dream come true.

© Janet Buickerood Blue – 01/01/2025

This may have been a dream come true for me, but Tom had the ultimate panda experience. Several years later he was able to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, which is where I suspect this photo was taken. I was and remain so envious!

Each week Angel Sammy transmits his poem from the Rainbow Bridge to Teddy for publication. As he is a super talented poet, I always recommend you read his poem. Please stop over to Two Spoiled Cats, by clicking on the poetry badge, to check out Sammy’s poem and get the photo for next week’s challenge.

Thankful Thursday

Each Thursday is also the day when Kitties Blue and I share the things for which we are thankful and join Angel Brian’s blog hop.

I am thankful 2024 has come to an end and praying 2025 is a good year for everyone.

The Canadian postal strike is finally over, and I am thankful Kitties Blue will be able to send Christmas cards, though belatedly, to our friends living there.

Kitties Blue are happy with their Christmas gift for which I am extremely grateful. Audrey thinks it is a terrific spot for television viewing.

 

 

If you missed our Monday post, “Two Comfort Sparks from Raleigh,” check it out to see him enjoying the Cattasaurus Peekaboo Cat Cave.

Kitties Blue and I are thankful to everyone who visited and commented on our posts in 2024.

We’ll be participating in Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop. You can do the same by clicking on the Thankful badge.

Thanks for stopping in today.