Kiwi Facts
Our national symbol55 total reviews
Comment from Dean Kuch
Good God, mate! They lay an egg nearly twice their size? Imagine a human female giving birth to a newborn baby nearly double her own size. Needless to say, birth control management would reach an all time high, and self-sterilization would become commonplace. In a few centuries, barring accidental births that actually were able to be delivered, the human race would eventually die out and fade away. Nothing but a bad memory, I should think, on the blotter of the universe.
So, the kiwi survived, but the elephant bird, its ancestor, became extinct. But, hey, even the Beatles realized that we all get by with a little help from our friends.
That's an amazing fact, and I don't see how the kiwi does it.
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Good God, mate! They lay an egg nearly twice their size? Imagine a human female giving birth to a newborn baby nearly double her own size. Needless to say, birth control management would reach an all time high, and self-sterilization would become commonplace. In a few centuries, barring accidental births that actually were able to be delivered, the human race would eventually die out and fade away. Nothing but a bad memory, I should think, on the blotter of the universe.
So, the kiwi survived, but the elephant bird, its ancestor, became extinct. But, hey, even the Beatles realized that we all get by with a little help from our friends.
That's an amazing fact, and I don't see how the kiwi does it.
Comment Written 29-May-2014
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Alright, I confess that both the picture and the words may have slightly exaggerated the relative size of the egg. I think it is accepted that the egg is about one third of the body size of the bird, which is still fairly ginormous and yes, I imagine, more than a little painful..... and the Beatles also said Ob-la-di Ob-la-dah, life goes on...
Steve
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Hah, yes, they certainly did, didn't they. And they sang it as they ran their yellow submarine against the rocks of strawberry fields-- forever...
Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin
Hi Kiwisteve,
Nice artwork to compliment this poem. I'm not familiar with a Whitney poem, but it is an interesting format. I really enjoyed this one.
Good luck in the contest.
Cheers,
Keep Smilin'... Jax
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Hi Kiwisteve,
Nice artwork to compliment this poem. I'm not familiar with a Whitney poem, but it is an interesting format. I really enjoyed this one.
Good luck in the contest.
Cheers,
Keep Smilin'... Jax
Comment Written 29-May-2014
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Thanks, Jax.
Steve
Comment from JuneYvonne
Absolutely brilliant Steve! Your poems never fail to make me smile, and this one had me laughing out loud. The Whitney form lends itself well to whimsy and humour, and your rhyme scheme is strong and suits the subject so well.
I did manage to glimpse a kiwi in the gloom at the back of its cage in a place called Otorohanga when holidaying in NZ in 2011, but I did not know this fact about its egg-laying ability. Fascinating!
Thank you for entering the contest - this is going to be a strong contender for sure.
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Absolutely brilliant Steve! Your poems never fail to make me smile, and this one had me laughing out loud. The Whitney form lends itself well to whimsy and humour, and your rhyme scheme is strong and suits the subject so well.
I did manage to glimpse a kiwi in the gloom at the back of its cage in a place called Otorohanga when holidaying in NZ in 2011, but I did not know this fact about its egg-laying ability. Fascinating!
Thank you for entering the contest - this is going to be a strong contender for sure.
Comment Written 28-May-2014
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Thanks, JY for the kind words and the six stars.
I have to confess I decided to try humour here after reading Brooke's entry - yes, it does seem made for this approach.
Kiwis ARE very shy - It's good to see them making a come-back thanks to a concerted effort at conservation and education of dog-owners and dogs.
Steve
Comment from arsinBW
Pretty good stuff. Never heard of a Whitney poem. Guess it's an interesting challenge. Hope you well with this one, good luck.
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Pretty good stuff. Never heard of a Whitney poem. Guess it's an interesting challenge. Hope you well with this one, good luck.
Comment Written 28-May-2014
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Thank you.
Steve
Comment from vapros
This is very clever and entertaining, a bit reminiscent of Dr. Seuss and Ogden Nash. The kiwi seems to have great popularity among those who shares his name, and you have created a neat verse here.
v
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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This is very clever and entertaining, a bit reminiscent of Dr. Seuss and Ogden Nash. The kiwi seems to have great popularity among those who shares his name, and you have created a neat verse here.
v
Comment Written 28-May-2014
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Thank you.
Yes, we're rather fond of our furry little friend.
Steve
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
LOL! Like a bleedin' pumpkin! Lovvve it! This is a graet entry. Can't wait to vote for it. I thihk it's a shoo-in to win. But you never know. Good luck! :)
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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LOL! Like a bleedin' pumpkin! Lovvve it! This is a graet entry. Can't wait to vote for it. I thihk it's a shoo-in to win. But you never know. Good luck! :)
Comment Written 28-May-2014
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Thanks, Phyllis.
Up against some tough opposition here so fingers crossed this touches a few funny-bones.
Steve
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You're pretty far ahesd. I just voted for you and no one's even close. :)
Comment from zanya
Oh-h-h that poor kiwi - i wonder if it feels self-conscious and unsure of itself - Lol- MotheR Nature is simply wonderful providing us with all truly interesting species
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Oh-h-h that poor kiwi - i wonder if it feels self-conscious and unsure of itself - Lol- MotheR Nature is simply wonderful providing us with all truly interesting species
Comment Written 28-May-2014
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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You are right - Ma Nature never fails to impress.
Thanks for stopping by.
Steve
Comment from paulah60
The kiwi...fugly maybe, but UNIQUE. Our emus might run fast, but they also can't take off (and, they're a strange looking lot). And having a bird of prey (a bald one at that) as a national symbol could open up a whole psychological debate!
Notwithstanding all that, great rhyme and meter in this amusing little piece, Steve!
Cheers
Paula
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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The kiwi...fugly maybe, but UNIQUE. Our emus might run fast, but they also can't take off (and, they're a strange looking lot). And having a bird of prey (a bald one at that) as a national symbol could open up a whole psychological debate!
Notwithstanding all that, great rhyme and meter in this amusing little piece, Steve!
Cheers
Paula
Comment Written 28-May-2014
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Thanks, Paula. I think you guys might have the advantage when it comes to weird and wonderful birds and animals....
Steve
Comment from seaglass
This made me laugh. We do not have these birds in America. I've only briefly spotted them of documentaries. What an interesting animal, they are. This describes them is a humorous way. It is very good entry for the Whitney contest
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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This made me laugh. We do not have these birds in America. I've only briefly spotted them of documentaries. What an interesting animal, they are. This describes them is a humorous way. It is very good entry for the Whitney contest
Comment Written 28-May-2014
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Thank you. Sounds like you may be more knowledgeable than most Americans who think that the kiwi is a fruit!
Steve
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You mean it isn't? LOl just kidding.
Comment from Nosha17
That is one cute bird, I loved hearing the history of how he ended up in New Zealand and got too lazy to fly! Your whimsical rhyme is most enjoyable with good rhyming and picture. Good luck in the contest. Faye
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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That is one cute bird, I loved hearing the history of how he ended up in New Zealand and got too lazy to fly! Your whimsical rhyme is most enjoyable with good rhyming and picture. Good luck in the contest. Faye
Comment Written 28-May-2014
reply by the author on 29-May-2014
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Thanks, Faye.
Steve
