beaver dam on the Milwaukee River
Slap your tail, Beaver!
Smack a warning on the water for herons, turtles, frogs,
and all the creatures on the pond beyond
the dam you built.
Slap your tail, Beaver!
The fiercest predator on Earth is on its way
with plans for a development
and tools more powerful than teeth.
Slap your tail, Beaver!
Gather up your kits and swim away.
Stake out a stretch of wilderness where you’ll be safe
till people find a way to live in peace.
I've been researching beavers because we see signs of their activity--and once in a great while a glimpse of them--when we walk along the Milwaukee River. I keep finding articles about people who can't figure out how to get along with the beavers they are so lucky to see and insist that their only option is to relocate or destroy them.
I despair.
I hope someday we can all understand the benefits beavers provide. If you're interested, you can read more about these fascinating creatures at The Beaver Believers.
I'm giving away a copy of Write a Poem Step by Step every day in April. The book is based on my school visit presentations and includes a simple plan you can follow to create your own poems. I wrote it for students, teachers, and writers of all ages.
Post a comment here to enter. I'll choose one at random tomorrow and drop a copy of Write a Poem Step by Step in the mail—U.S. addresses only, please. I’ll email you for your mailing address if you win. And if you don't win right away, please check back again. I'll have 31 copies to share!