Thursday, June 30, 2016

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Goffle Brook June 29, 2016

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house wrens hatched out


Monday, June 27, 2016

invasive species

The alien invaders are threatening to take over
Unless we eradicate them all the natives will be goners
That’s the message I hear repeated almost universally
That conclusion I am beginning to question.

A story in the local paper features our nearby nature preserve
Listing many unwanted plants but nothing there is native
In the sense that it has been there longer than my lifetime
What was a celery farm and before that a peat bog.

The attempt to restore native plants is a form of gardening
As if there is a static state in nature anywhere in the world
But considering it hasn’t rained in weeks the pond is drying up
Exposing the mud that is soon sprouting new green.

You might say that new growth is invading the pond
What changes whether or not the plant is native or alien?
Are not the native deer invasive thriving in the suburban setting
Browsing the native plants while leaving the aliens?

Then the problem is the native species
Though the ecology is complex and nuanced
Some aliens are harmful and some are beneficial
Some natives are beneficial and some are harmful.

The flora and fauna everywhere are dynamic and evolving
Some newcomers will thrive and some hybrids will happen
Biodiversity may increase though some species will be lost
In the Anthropocene we encourage a new outlook.

The conservation ethic that wants to defend the natives
Against the marauding invaders has a xenophobic echo
Ironic when raised by the descendants of European immigrants
Who inflicted genocide on the native people living here.

Who brought other invaders with them besides disease
Sowing alien seeds in the ploughed fields
Importing horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and all
While cutting down the forests and fouling the rivers.

Though going back in history around the world
Our entire species is the dominant invasive species
Causing extinctions that will peak with climate change
I am sympathetic to humanity and optimistic for life.

For who would say the result of our presence is all bad?
Our population growth is a measure of success
And when the social good not private profit rules
Surely we will find a way to harmonize with nature.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Friday, June 24, 2016

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

June 2016

Late in June the catalpas are covered with blooms
As I walk past low branches inviting me to inhale
The sweet scent takes me back to the backyard
Where childhood memories reside.

The sun so high bringing early summer heat
The day so long so full of life the solar energy peaks
Incubating the house wren eggs ready to hatch
In the bird house hanging on our deck.

As we sit outside in the evening eating dinner
The wrens perch on the railing chittering at us
Scolding us for being too close to the nest
Though the female still goes in to sit on her clutch.

This nesting pair is the first ever we have hosted
So for us there is something new under the sun
A delightful surprise anticipating more to come
A chance to witness the brood grow up and take flight.

The last day of school dismissal hour arrives
Opening the door to free time extending to the horizon
When September is but a distant destination
And every day holds possibilities for having fun.

We talk about plans for trips to explore new places
And revisiting favorite summer vacation sites
But mostly we don't decide ahead what we are doing
Enjoying the chance to let the day come to us.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

three gardens June 18, 2016

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