Buck Moon—From a Field Guide to Insects

Eight-eight thousand six-hundred
different species in North America. In the trees, the grasses
around us. Maybe more, maybe
several million on each acre of earth. This one
as well as any other. Where you are standing
at dusk. Where the moon
appears to be climbing the eastern sky. Where the wind
seems to be traveling through the trees, and the frogs
are content in their black ponds or else
why do they sing? Where you feel
a power that is not you but flows
into you like a river. Where you lie down and breathe
the sweet honey of the grass and count
the stars: where you fall asleep listening
to the simple chords repeated, repeated.
Where, resting, you feel
the perfection, the rising, the happiness
of their dark wings

Reflective writing prompt
Write about something that “bugs” you.

Photos from “Milk Factory” by Corinne May Botz

                  Scott Browning

The Protector
I am the protector
My human said so
I determine my vector
And away I go
Who is the threat?
A question I forever consider
Will they be identified by the Vet?
Are they attacking my litter?
The mail carrier tops the list
I’m not sure why
The smell of other dogs in the mist
Bundles of mail, no one will die
My job may not be well defined
I know I am here to protect
But I am inclined to be kind
So, my bark has an unintended effect.

Insipid Humans
Fluffy, the name they gave me.
I was known by my comrades as Atlantis,
but to these insipid humans
Fluffy, they call
and to this name, if I wish to eat,
I must respond
A warrior I
But now, dressed in a sweater
and Santa hat
I pretend that a tummy rub is sufficient
to dull the grief of battles no longer fought.

Reflective writing prompt
As a dog, a pet, or animal, write something to a human.