Z is for Zebra, Zero, Zed, Zzz

In the A to Z Challenge, we are writing about something to go with each letter of the alphabet, one letter a day through the month of April.  Today we're on the letter Z.  How sad!  We are at the end!  But I'll still be here.
My theme is poetry for ages 4 to 104.  In addition to writing at least one poem, I'm also incorporating a Tagxedo image with a font having the same letter, and the Tagxedo theme beginning with the same letter.  It isn't so easy with these last letters, so sometimes I have to get creative with where the letter is found!
You can check out my other posts listed on the side.  Then head on over to check out those of other writers by clicking on the top tab "A to Z Participants"!

I said at the beginning that as the rate I was going, I might have 26 poems for Z.  Fortunately, I don't!  I do have 5 though.  And that's quite enough for today!
Does anyone have a suggestion as to how I might put these together into a book? I'd like to do that, and maybe add some extras for some of the letters, or just edit it down to just one per letter.  Any ideas on which way is best?  Suggestions?  Encouragements?  H-h-e-l-p?

Font: Zapf Dingbats

Taxgedo Theme: White on Black - which seemed better than the Zing theme I could 

have used that was a greenish and yellowy theme.  No, not right for zebra.

Poetry Style: ZaniLa Rhyme

The ZaniLa Rhyme, a form created by Laura Lamarca. The rhyme scheme is abcb, 

with a syllable count of 9/7/9/9. Line 3 contains an internal rhyme and is repeated in 

each odd numbered stanza. Even stanzas contain the same line but reverse the 

internal rhyme.  It has a minimum of 3 stanzas. 

Zebra Stripes 

Zebra on the plain with stripes of white
Stripes so light against the dark
White and then black, lined up front to back
Your fashion is so formal and stark.

Zebra on the plain with your black stripes
Your stripes clearly meant to show,
Lined up front to back, white and then black
Repeating stripes march row after row.

Which do you have white stripes or black?
Alternating colors flash
White and then black, lined up front to back;
At least your two colors do not clash!

© 2012, Donna JT Smith 

Learn about zebras here. 

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Zero

You're my hero

You make little numbers big

And the bigger numbers small

Depending on which side

Of the deciwall

You fall. 

© 2012, Donna JT Smith 

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Zip zap zing
Who says z's are not the thing
To make a poem sing?
Zombie, zilch, zits
These are just the pits,
But zooming, zesty, zealous
make plainer words
Quite jealous.
And then you always have
The z that's in the middle
Wizard, lizard, drizzle.
Pizza, razzed and fizzle
And if that's not enough, friend
You have them at the end then
Like whiz and fizz and jazz
Which give this poetic spaz
 Some dazzling razzmatazz! 

 © 2012, Donna JT Smith

 ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
 

Zed

is in my head

And I cannot deny it

Z will always be

The sizzle when I fry it. 

© 2012, Donna JT Smith  
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Catching a fewZZZZzzZZzzzz

Clutch, net

Glean, get

Harvest, nab

Gather, grab

Land, snap

Gain, trap

Snag, swoop

Snare, scoop

Hold, seize

Pluck, tweeze

Collect, snatch

Corral, catch-ing Zzzzzz’s

© 2012, Donna JT Smith

 ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

And zis is zee end until negzt Aprilz event. 

Time to catch those z's.

I will still be blogging.  Minimum blog time: Tuesdays and Fridays. 

 Never on a Sunday, unless I wrote it ahead and scheduled it. 

Oh, but I'll read you also on May 7th, our A to Z reflection day!