Life, with Animals

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100605

TIME OUT, ALREADY!

Foo, foo, foo! Foo and fudge!
Things go badly when we judge.
He’ll suggest, plead or nudge.
She’s entrenched; she won’t budge.
She is nursing some old grudge.

[ASIDE: Someone discussing WWI and WWII
mentioned “old grudges” (which take place
at many levels).]


100604

DUCK CALLS

“He’s a she,”
my brother announced.
So Buddy became Bootie—
appropriate for a duck’s physique,
we thought.
Quattro, on the other hand (or wing),
was so called for failure to flock
with the triplets, unnamed.
Now he’s part of a duo.
That’s how fairy tales end these days.


SOGGY SAGA

That title sounds trite.
The situation is not.
Three lives were lost overnight.

I feel responsible,
though no one is certain of the cause—
the stormy night?
snapping turtle or other predator?
waterlogging?
I was warned about waterlogging.

Today’s report from the pond
is that Bootie and Quattro
(duck and duckling)
spent the entire afternoon side by side,
making exploratory excursions on the pond.

If one duckling survived, why not four?

About this mystery,
investigations reveal nothing,
the only evidence being non-evidence.
The verdict, however, is clear:
humans are not in charge,
nor should they be.


WRITE NOW

Well,
here’s a chance
to go to bed early,
something I fancy
clearly and surely.

But,
there’s a spot
still blank on the page
and a poetic urge
that must be assuaged.


100603

BACK ON THE WAGON

The re-beginning
is the most important
part of the work.


INTERVENTION

When cats claw
or dogs are yappy,
when you’re feeling
sad or sappy—
with a lilt,
sing, “I feel crappy!”
Silliness induces happy.


100602

PEKINS: $4

Practically speaking,
our duck was an orphan,
and that would not do—
so nothing would do
but to purchase four
more ducks via Craigslist.

The price was a clue
to their size, but we were
clueless going in.

Turned out,
they were just old enough
for swimming, so we
turned them out at the pond.

Practically speaking,
our orphan duck became
an unexpectant mama.
Let’s see how she does.


100601

SAW DUST

That bumble-
sized bee
boring holes
in our home’s
fascia boards?
That would be
a wood bee.

[ASIDE: Also known as a carpenter bee.]


FRUIT
ENROUTE

Went out
walking
today,
thoughtless,
like a
sleepwalker.

Returned,
empty-handed,
but with a
mulberry
aftertaste.


SKIN THAT ONE, PILGRIM,
AND I’LL GITCHA ANOTHER

Bless me,
but it’s been a while,
this turn at life—
each turn of dial,
each turn of stile,
each trip down aisle,
each phase, each style.

Mercy,
but it’s been a while!

[ASIDE: A sometimes yearning for
a fresh start or reset button.]


100531

SINGLE WHITE FEMALE

Neighbors got involved.
Long story short:
duck is now ensconced
on my brother’s farm and pond.
Efforts are underway
to secure suitable companionship.


DOUBLE TROUBLE

Mattress pad, comforter (placed
underneath the sheets in summer),
fitted sheet, upper sheet, bedspread
(actually, a heavy decorative sheet)—
all of these were run through the laundry
twice today.

A certain feline someone
has developed a bad habit.
Before we named her Emma,
she was called Sweet Trouble.


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