Capy Contest 2!

A Capybara’s View of the World

The capybara’s eye sees the world differently.

Peeking over the lid of the swamp like the orbs of a dreaded crocodile
The dank aspect of them, squinted into mascara lines and longest lashes,
Watch for death through innocence.

We sit two feet, three feet, in a Jeep high above the marsh world
Immune to its dangers, removed from the essence of its beauty
Watching for death that is not ours.

Beneath the surface of floating hyacinth, scent and scented,
The undulating current suspends the weak and the strong
Waiting for nature to sort them into bins.

A cry! The shriek of an infant torn from its mother’s safety!
The wailing of loss. The gasp of surprise from those in the Jeep.
But it’s only a capybara after all.

The capybara’s eye sees the world differently.

As you can see, my owner wrote a dumb poem about capybaras. That got her thinking that virtually anyone could write a dumb poem about capybaras. So she decided to have another contest. This is a poetry contest.  Here are the rules.

• Poem must contain the word capybara
• Poem must not be more than 100 lines long
• Contest ends on September 11th, 2010
• No profanity, must be kid-friendly

The poem does not have to be in English. Including a photo to illustrate your poem probably helps.

Prizes are:

• A copy of my book, Celeste and the Giant Hamster
• A Caplin Rous, the World’s Most Famous Capybara mug
• A plush Caplin Rous (won’t be available for a couple of months)
• Dokidoki plastic toy capybara (sitting or standing, take your pick)

First place winner gets first choice of prize, 2nd place winner choses from remaining prizes, third place winner gets third choice of prizes.

Voting Closed

Winners are:

1st:   Kristy Ogden – selected plush Caplin Rous
2nd: Stephanie Gardner – selected standing Dokidoki capybara
3rd:  Lynn Marcotte

Great poetry everyone!

And here’s one final poem that did not make it in on time.

Patti Notestine

My Capybara Poem

Oh to be one of the lucky people,
to own a capybara.
I’ve seen the pics, and silently wished
for a girl that Id name Clara.

Id take her swimming every day,
and take pictures of her splashing.
And with her wet coat shaken dry,
I bet she’d be quite dashing.

Id take her for walks down by the school,
to show all the little children.
I’d let them pet her, I’m sure she would love.
all the chatter and attention.

Sometimes I would take her to the park,
and walk down by the river.
Im sure she would be quite a spectacle,
And make all the little ducks quiver.

At home at night I would give her a snack,
and then its time for bed.
We cuddle together under the blankets,
her very own pillow to rest her head.

She dreams of veggies and fruit and treats,
and all the good things she wants to eat.
And when she wakes in the morning she looks at me,
with that cute little look that says, “Mom, its time to pee!”

So down to the pool we go to start another day,
my darling capy leading the way.
I hope one day that it can be,
For me a wonderful reality.
—————————————————-

Entry #1: Lynn Marcotte

Joy to the Capybara

I saw you once, many years ago.
Never forgot you. Forgot your name.
Then one day on YahooPics, there you were!!!
My heart leaped with joy!
Now I see you everyday, oh boy, oh boy!!

Entry #2: Tony Yarborough

There was a fat capy called Rous
Who got covered all over the news
“Who cares” said  Caplan,
“’bout those dang Facebook fans…
I just wanna lay down here and snooze…”

Entry #3: Jodi Kurland

Three haikus

The largest rodent
Also semi-aquatic
The capybara

South America
Is the place that they call home
Mostly in forests

With water nearby
And their quite large group of friends
Enjoying a swim

Entry #4: Elizabeth Leight

I like to swim.
I love to eat.
Popsicles are
My favorite treat.

I’m not a wombat
And not a rat.
I’m a capybara
And that is that.

My fur is rough.
My teeth are long.
My attitude’s tough.
I’m really strong.

I have many fans,
And one best friend,
I, Caplin, am Melanie’s
Until the end.

Entry #5: Janice Wolf

Capybara Adventures

I invited my capybara
to have dinner with me tonight
I set his little plate and cup
next to me on my right

He really liked the melons
so glad I thought to buy em’
but when it came to veggies
he wouldn’t even try em’!

Told him he needed green stuff
to be a big Capy one day
he simply demanded desert
and tossed the veggies away!

Told him he was naughty
and fruit there was no more
he pitched a fit, then sat to pout
but first, he ‘PEAed’ the floor!

Entry 6: Karine Jans

When I hear the piggies make noises,
I wonder about capy’s similar voices.

When I see the pile my piggies eat,
I wonder what amount a capy will feed

When I see the amount piggies poo
you bet I wonder about capy’s poo size too!

Entry 7: Batsheva BeSeven

(For this poem, capybara rhymes with Sara, which is how I pronounce it. Those of you who say bar ah will have to make a temporary adjustment.)

Capybara

Rodents are animals
That include mice
Guinea pigs, hamsters, and
Gerbils are nice
Rats, voles, and muskrats
Chipmunks and squirrels
Are some of rodentia’s
Most interesting pearls
Porcupines, ground hogs
Prairie dogs, beavers
Could be called
Rodent over-achievers
But the champion rodent
None larger, none fairer
Is the handsome, majestic,
And sweet capybara
They grow to a size
Near as big as a pig
Though capys are cleaner
‘Cause swimming, they dig
Their hair can be prickly
But people don’t mind
Since a more unique house pet
You never will find
So if you have land
Where capys can play
And a nice spot to swim
In the heat of the day
Get a capybara
They’re loving and fun
The world’s greatest rodent
Is second to none!

Entry 8: Angela DiMeglio Mitchell (aka Papua Piig)

AN OPEN LETTER FROM CAPLIN TO YOU

Will you learn…
to be brave in a strange place
its ok to want more space

Will you find…
that you’re fine out on your own
that you’re strong now that you’ve grown

It’s alright…
if you’re slow to make new friends
if you like to play pretend

and I know…
you find solace in your food
didn’t mean to seem so rude

it’s ok…
if you want to hide your face
take the world at your own pace

but I hope…
you will hold your head up high
you’ll make a promise to try

stand your ground…
when they laugh at your style
but they’ll stay for a while

paint a grin…
they do not know who you are
when showing off you’re a star

be yourself…
make all those around you laugh
pass a smile on your behalf

now they come…
to find what you’re really like
it’s not always black and white

cause I know…
because I’m not a zebra
I am a capybara

Entry 9: Knut Anders Berg

Great art conquers the mind with it´s assults,
yet we quibble and seek to find its faults;
For who would doubt the crew of the spaceship Aniara
would be bettered by a ship´s capybara?

Entry 10: Kristy Ogden

Caplin Rous

There once was a ‘bara named Caplin Rous
he was as sweet as sweet could be
From his beautiful nose to his pointy toes
he was well loved, you could plainly see.

He frolicked & played in the grass all day
and usually took a dip in the pool
He always had his own special way
of making the unusual quite cool.

He loved long walks and green grass stalks
and blueberry yogurt for lunch
And sometimes when she teased him,
on Coral’s leg he would munch.

There once was a ‘bara named Caplin Rous
he was as sweet as sweet could be.
We all love you so much, only God knows
Thank you Caplin & Melanie!!!

Entry #11: Lynn Marcotte

How Do I Describe Thee Capy,

Let me list the ways:
Your eyes, your eyes are like delicious almonds,
Your nose, your nose is very regal,
Your swimming is quite elegant,
Your eating is ever so dainty!
Your feet I’d rather not discuss.
When your hair gets poofy, you look goofy!
But best of all is your bootilicious booty!!!

Entry #12: Anonymous

Rodent is a name all too familiar
Encompassing the other of us
And yet is not too dissimilar

Cavy is a name almost noone knows
South American dwellers
All with fourteen toes

Capybara is a name becoming well known
In classrooms and libraries
The best of them is shown

Caplin Rous is a name close to my heart
a tiny babe when we met
But forever we’ll never part

Entry #13: Mahia

In wet lands
between tall grass
a big animal
run very fast

not a horse
not a big cat
just a rodent
with a big beating heart

Pincho is his name
a young ‘bara male
trying to escape
to his fatal fate

Water is salvation
life,home,and rescue
now he’s safe
and takes a deep breath

All the herd is there
playing,swimming
loving,resting
anything else?

Capy’s life seems easy
even when,
from time to time
some danger emerge

With his small eyes
this capybara looks into the sky
while eating some grass
in the middle of wet lands

Entry #14: Stephanie Gardner

There is a cute capy named Caplin,
Who engages in happy tap tappin’
He also likes naps;
He goes to swim laps,
And on the yogurt he’s snakin’.

A capybara with many fans,
The adoring publics at hand!
Caplin plays with his copets,
He blogs on the Net,
And amuses us with his pool stands.

Caplin is a good boy.
He brings his owner much joy.
He eeps with delight.
Tries hard not to bite.
And soon, he’ll be a plush toy!

Entry #15: Christina Yarosh

I Don’t Think We’re Related

I don’t think we’re related
You’re really much too big
You’re a great big capybara
And I’m just a little pig!

Your coat feels like a bristly brush
Your behind looks like a barge
I don’t know what they fed you
To make you grow so large!

But I guess we’re really “cousins”
(Even though I think that chance is slim)
Maybe we should get to know each other
Will you teach me how to swim?

Entry #16: Michele Pinna

Ciao Caplin!

From the other side of the world
we dont hear an eeep or a word
and just feel close to you
like only true friends can do

Like a fish u can swim
and we with you on our dream
or just rolling on the mud
with a popsicle on your mouth

Stir your ears! Show your nose!
Dry your fur with a shock and come!
Bite our nightmares and watch us sleep!
i ll give you a long trip
without leashes we could smell
the best grass, the flowers, the pets

and later watch your friends on the net
where you gift smiles, love and you let
everyone know more about capybaras,
where it comes from? How long? How much?

Well, we dont mind, just need to say
we wanna be there and hug you and stay
an entire day playing with you,
just like a friend need and can do.

Entry #17: Anna

In Japanese from Paris

カピバラの
顔見るだけで
笑みこぼれ
(means Smiles come naturally just by seeing a Capybara’s face)

カピバラよ
切ない瞳で
何想う
(means What are you thinking about, Capybara, with those melancholic eyes)

カピバラの
ポーカーフェイスに
心は虜
(means My heart is completely captured by Capybara’s poker face)

Entry #18: Glenna Blomquist

Gone Now

Sly eyes, yams for breakfast
Sleeping untidy, restless
Where my Melanie
Over yon, eclipse now waning
I older but not wiser
Waiting, patient needing
Cool water, cold milk
All to myself
I am the world
And she is in it
For I am capybara.

Entry #19: Sophie Young

Capybara Couplet

Rodents are so special
They really are cute
They love to wash and climb a cage
But their favourite thing is food

Hamsters like to nibble
Guineas love to squeak
But Caplin entertains us all
Every day of the week!

Entry #20: Dick Padrick

A Haiku to Caplin

A capybara
stands in the distance, thinking,
maybe something else.

Entry #21: Pam Moeck

Entry #22: Brenda Hager

Who/What Am I?

Hey, I’m the Capybara named Caplin Rous.
I hang at Chipotle when Melanie goes.
I have a capy brother, his name is Dobby.
He lives in Seattle, and thinks I’m snobby.
I’m really not fond of my sister Coral.
She’s an acquired taste(hehe!), give her a whirl.
I have my own pool, where I poop in the water.
I’m a good swimmer, but I’m not an otter.
I’m not a dog so don’t throw me no bones.
I prefer yogurt and flavored snow cones.
When I’m happy, I’m puffy, and sometimes I eep.
Capys are the newest fad, but we’re not cheap!

Entry #23: Dobby Winnick

Capperbocky

Twas Dobby and the doofus dara
Did duck and chicken scramper caged
All binky was the capybara
And the stone paths outraged

Grub

Potato time nigh
capybara nostrils flare
Bite crunch clunk nom nom

Entry #24: Caroline Evangelista Salas

Three Haiku

Haiku 1:
Oh capybara
Has a taste for fingertips
They look like carrots

Haiku 2:
Yogurt, popsicles
Capybara lives for more!
Refreshing and cool

Haiku 3:
I dream of Caplin
Web footed capybara
Coconut-like fur

Entry #25: Claudia Enna

Oh my sweetest Caplin Rous
you are delicate like a rose
if I kiss on your big nose
for a shot you stay in pose!

Through thick and thin I am your friend.

Tu lenisci le mie pene
e per questo ti voglio bene,
tu per me sei assai importante
oh mio criceto gigante!

Un bacio grande io ti mando
dall’Italia e dal mio cuor,
ed infine mio caro amico
sai che ti dico?

Che se al lotto faccio ‘sei’…
di corsa vengo da te negli USA!

Entry #26: Mark Capps

With Apologies Both to the Real Author and to Caplin Rous

Caplin Rous, get on board,
We’re gonna ride till there ain’t no more to go,
Taking it slow,
Lord, don’t you know,
Have me a time with a poor man’s capy….
Hitchin’ on a twilight train,
Ain’t nothing there that I care to take along,
Maybe a song,
To sing when I want,
Don’t need to say please to no man for a happy tune.

Oh, I love my Rousy child,
He got the way to make me happy
You and me, we go in style
Caplin Rous you’re a capybara,
And your keeper’s one chic vaquera,
So hang on to me, Rous,
Our song keeps runnin’ on…

Play it now
Play it now
Play it now, my capy.

Caplin Rous, make me a smile,
God if it lasts for an hour, that’s all right,
We got all night,
To set the world right,
Find us a dream that don’t asks no questions, yeah.

Entry #27: Wanda Brini

Capycadabra

abracadabra
here comes the Capybara
the famous of all
Caplin Rous

Entry #28: The Photoetrist a.k.a Lady J. Fingertips

I first discovered you through the Texas Rustlers Guinea Pig Rescue’s
announcement of its Fifth Annual Hoedown,
an event in support of your little cousins, the cavies.
For months, I waited patiently for you to arrive.
When you did, I was not disappointed.
The people flocked to you.
You remained stoic and good natured.
Patiently, you let the children fawn over you.

The adults couldn’t help themselves too.
“What is that?” The uniformed exclaimed!
A Capybara – A Rodent of Unusual Size!
Thoughts of Buttercup and Wesley came to mind.
Alas, you are not of a fire swamp,
nor would you want to “get” any of us.
A gentle giant with stylish bandanas
who loves his yogurt, swimming, and being cool.

Caplin, you are the most famous Capy,
and you bring awareness for all rodent kind.
I will never forget you,
and I will continue to sing your praises
for as long as my faculties allow me
the pleasure of doing so.

Entry 29: Jaydon Battersby

An Australian Haiku

Playing in the pool,
Caplin the Capybara,
Truly we love you.