Tian Tian, More and More

A happy go lucky papa bear

climbing trees, rolling down hills

and playfully swats the toys,

and scents himself

with the bark of a dead fall tree.

He loves the pool’s refreshing splash

and gentle showers from his keepers’ hands

a laid back happy panda is he.

While eating is a priority and even

though carrots aren’t his favorite treat

he will eat them nonetheless,

he loves to lick sweet honey water

from a crate, stick his head inside

so not a single drop is missed.

He and his missus, Mei Xiang,

traveled from China in two thousand

to love in Smithsonian National Zoo

wow visitors, young and old.

There are whispers told in days of old

that though his name means more and more,

he once escaped his habitat in China’s land

earning him an escape artist brand.