Habits of the Hippopotamus

I was going to share a somber poem, and write a book review of the latest book I've finished.

Then I looked outside.  Oh, such somber, yucky weather.  Amazingly, the sun peaked through the clouds at just the right time to illumine the books I was reading to the older two.  We paused and drank in its delicious beauty.  Then it was gone.

So, instead of a book review, with it's accompanying serious poem, I present to you this delightful poem which I read to the younger two this morning.  They enjoyed it, but could not fully appreciate its fun plays on the word 'hippopotamus.'  I hope you will!

Habits of the Hippopotamus

Arthur Gutterman

The hippopotamus is strong

And huge of head and broad of bustle;

The limbs on which he rolls along

Are big with hippopotomuscle.

He does not greatly care for sweets

Like ice cream, apple pie, or custard,

But takes to flavor what he eats

A little hippopotomustard.

The hippopotamus is true

To all his principles, and just;

He always tries his best to do

The things one hippopotomust.

He never rides in trucks or trams,

In taxicabs or omnibuses,

And so keeps out of traffic jams

And other hippopotomusses.