wildlife – Page 4 – POETRY and PLACES

Porch Swing in September by Ted Kooser

Porch Swing in Septemberby Ted Kooser The porch swing hangs fixed in a morning sunthat bleaches its gray slats, its flowered cushionwhose flowers have faded, like those of summer,and a small brown spider has hung out her webon a line between porch post and chainso that no one may swing without breaking it.She is sayingContinue reading “Porch Swing in September by Ted Kooser”

The Invisible Birds of Central America by Craig Arnold

The Invisible Birds of Central Americaby Craig ArnoldFor Alicia PHOTO: Toucan, Costa Rica by Tanja Wilbertz on Pixabay, used by permission. NOTE: The toco toucan (Ramphastos toco), also known as the common toucan or giant toucan, is the largest and probably the best known species in the toucan family. It is found in semi-open habitats throughout a large part of central andContinue reading “The Invisible Birds of Central America by Craig Arnold”

ellwood beach, 1991 by Scott Ferry

ellwood beach, 1991 by Scott Ferry climb the 2 x 4s up the eucalyptus seesaw up to a platform 20 feet high then a friend grabs the twine (a tail attached to the thick umbilical cord pulsing 60 feet above) and throws it up and i reach out and snag the rope then i placeContinue reading “ellwood beach, 1991 by Scott Ferry”

Along Lake Michigan by Brad Leithauser

Along Lake Michiganby Brad Leithauser The road abruptly changed to dirt,Thinned until grasses brushedThe car on both sides, and thenEnded in a loop before the marsh.We hiked along an arm of land heldFirm by cedars, the lake breakingLike an ocean on one side,The rippling, flooded wetlands wideAs a lake on the other.You found a broadContinue reading “Along Lake Michigan by Brad Leithauser”

When in Wisconsin Where I Once Had Time by John Engels

When in Wisconsin Where I Once Had Timeby John Engels When in Wisconsin where I once had timethe flyway swans came whistlingto the rotten Green Bay ice and stayed,not feeding, four days, maybe five, I shouted and threw stones to see them fly.Blue herons followed, or came first.I shot a bittern’s wing off with myContinue reading “When in Wisconsin Where I Once Had Time by John Engels”

The Everglades by Campbell McGrath (Florida)

The Evergladesby Campbell McGrath Green and blue and white, it is a flagfor Florida stitched by hungry ibises. It is a paradise of flocks, a cornucopiaof wind and grass and dark, slow waters. Turtles bask in the last tatters of afternoon,frogs perfect their symphony at dusk— in its solitude we remember ourselves,dimly, as creatures ofContinue reading “The Everglades by Campbell McGrath (Florida)”