Buttonwood Park Zoo Poetry Contest

Fourth Grade Animal Poetry Contest Winners

First Place

“The Bald Eagle” by Sadie Evelyn Avila

Grade: 4, Age: 10, School: Casimir Pulaski Elementary

The Bald Eagle soars long and free,
Far above you and me.
Using sharp talons on their feet,
They swoop down and grab a bite to eat.
White head, neck and tail,
Black-ish brown back and breast,
Bald Eagles are so beautiful
And different from the rest.
They are so very loyal too,
When they find a mate
They stick like glue.
Bald Eagles are very special to me,
A symbol of freedom and the United States.
Please protect these birds,
And all the glory they create.

Second Place

“Limerick Poem” by Daniel Dantas

Grade: 4, Age: 9, School: Brockton Christian School

A puma can jump very high.
It looks like it’s in the sky.
It can eat a hawk.
But it can’t break a rock.
When he jumps it looks like he can fly.

Third Place

“Otters” by Bridget Bogan

Grade: 4, Age: 9, School: Holy Name Holy Family

In the aqua blue water
Is where the otters swim
Swimming so fast
And they rest on a nearby tree limb.

The babies play on the rocks
And they play with their ball.
They wait until suppertime
When their mothers call.

Going to catch some fish
Is what the mothers do.
Splash, splash, splash!
The fish are all red, bright and new.

In the sleepy hollow
Is where their beds are too.
Eat your bedtime snack
While sleeping in the aqua blue.

Otters are cute and funny
And somewhat crazy.
Make sure you visit them
Or they’ll become lazy!

Fifth Grade Animal Poetry Contest Winners

First Place

“Eagle So High” by Austin Reiff

Grade: 5, Age: 11, School: Saint Stanislaus School

There was an eagle in the sky,
He could fly up very high.
He is so big and strong,
He keeps going all day long.
When the eagle is ready to eat,
He swoops down to the sea and
Grabs a fish with his feet.
When the eagle is tired and needs to rest,
He finds a limb and makes a nest.

Second Place

“The Spotted Turtle” By Taleen Simonian

Grade: 5, Age: 10, School: Martin School

In marshes, vernal pools and swamps,
I see a spotted turtle as it stomps
To cool off from a hot day.
It was once very common,
But now at loss,
And habitat pollution is now its boss.
Known for their cold-blooded body
And polka-dot shells
These guys grow up to 5 inches
And their spots are golden as bells.
They eat worms, spiders, slugs, and snails
Water bugs, but not whales!
In early spring, from March to May,
Spotted turtles mate with no delay.
But when their life ends
At least at 25,
They leave their families,
No surprise!!!!

Third Place

“The Symbol of Freedom but Very Endangered” by Maxwell Kroll

Grade: 5, Age: 11, School: Martin School

A majestic bird of prey
Soaring high in the air

Way down below
The fish are scared

They swim away in fear
From that legendary eye of terror

Watching over them
Searching for the right one
To snatch up for his touch

His children are safe
Way up in the trees
From that straggling vulture
Waiting to eat

Sixth Grade Animal Poetry Contest Winners

First Place

“Howling” by Holly M. Podesta

Grade: 6, Age: 11, School: Saint Stanislaus School

Not as strong as the wolf
Not loved like the dog
Perhaps not as swift as the fox
Perhaps not as popular as other creatures

Peculiar yellow eyes
Unkempt brownish fur
Alert triangular ears
Snarling, smiling, biting teeth

Free as the wind
Wild as the skies
Untamed like the vast forests
The coyote, howling

Second Place

“The Canadian Lynx” by Stephanie Sheehan

Grade: 6, Age: 11, School: Rochester Memorial

Living in cold,
Icy, harsh weather.
Frozen,
With eyes glowing like the moon.

Resting.
His ears as high as the sky.
Fur as thick as the snow.
Tail, short like a bush.
Hind legs as long as a tree.

He has snowshoes for paws
To prowl in the snowy tundra.

Stopped cold by the sight of a hare,
His ears are perked,
Tail down,
Ready to run.

Taking off, he sprints.
Dashing through a blizzard,
All you can see when the chase is done
Is lynx with a hare in his mouth.
He proudly trots back home.

Third Place

“Bald Eagle” by Porter Braga

Grade: 6, Age: 11, School: Westport Middle School

Soaring gracefully
Eating lots of fish and crabs
Nation’s Bald Eagle