What once was a peat bog then
drained to be a farm
Now repurposed as a shallow
lake almost a mile around
A protected natural area a refuge
for birds and birders
Made possible by dedicated volunteers.
We frequent this modest plot
of wildlife habitat
The water collecting ducks following
the seasons
The land hosting song birds along the
margin.
We look for everything living that
finds a niche here.
Joining the membership of the
Fyke Association
For the stewardship opportunity
to contribute
Knowing there is a warden watching out
Taking care to keep the
sanctuary safe.
I wish the people who use
this place as an exercise track
Would go instead to the
former pig farm in Wyckoff
Or the Saddle River flood
zone six mile walkway
Or anyplace else not to
disturb the skittery birds.
There’s no way for me to
pretend the place is pristine.
What I see makes it plain we
are in the Anthropocene.
If nothing else were known or
noticed our human impact
Manifest in the sewer manhole
covers next to the path.
Whatever open space remains in
our vicinity is like this
Wetlands or steep slopes
difficult to build on
Cleared of the old growth trees
and anything of value
Leaving us to try to restore the
native vegetation.
Bringing back chestnut or elm
trees is not possible
Though perhaps the phragmites
and burning bush can be curtailed.
To make a natural area takes
active land management
A kind of garden cultivation
weeding out invasive species.
It would be nice to take a
photograph without seeing
Those millionaire mansions across
the lake
Or those white PVC pipes
sticking out of the water
That I might picture the illusion
of undisturbed nature.
But the engineering is what attracts
the feathered ones
And those of us who seek them
out with our scopes and cameras
Planting the mounted nesting
boxes to invite pairings
Building platforms placed to
afford the best views.
So here we are engaged with
our imperfect world
Doing what we can to make it
a better place
Enjoying our time here now while
we may
Planning to bestow this gift
to posterity.
