CHARLIE'S PLACE
The Charlie's Place Poems
From 2024-25 Trish took up residence as Poet in the Pigsty at Charlie’s Place Animal Sanctury. The result is an illustrated booklet of poems telling the stories of animals who are, or have been, resident at the sanctuary. The poems have been beautifully illustrated by Jim Bishop and Lisa White, with cover design and editing by Joe Kerrison.
FEATURED POEM…
Happy Donkey Days
The curse of the donkey – to never forget,
no wonder that Eeyore is always depressed
perhaps he, like Peppy and Blu, remembers
a barn, a crush of a herd crammed too close,
tail to nose, nose to tail, no space to turn,
to feed, to sleep, to even dream of a home
like Charlie’s Place.
But hang on to your hats, Peppy and Blu
are on the move, a stampede in the paddock,
full-charge through the gate, such fun to be had
when they reach the yard: an orange bucket,
a stray wellington boot, an interesting pocket,
or the greatest delight to a donkey’s nose,
a storeroom door that isn’t closed.
Big-eared, big-eyed and even bigger hearted,
they are easy to love, but a word to the wise,
Peppy and Blu are thick as thieves, your phone,
an unattended bag, a glove, a bunch of keys,
snatched and stashed. No ginger biscuit bribe,
no carrot- ransom paid, will bring the treasure back.
Although mischief is their middle-name, yet always,
you forgive, for they do their best to make amends,
huddle close to friends when life is tough, repay
every debt of kindness with unconditional love,
And donkeys never forget.
The Charlie’s Place Poems can be purchased via Charlie’s Place Facebook page. Price £5, all proceeds from this booklet go direct to Charlie’s Place.
