Poem: Billy the Brookside Beaver

A Letter to the Editor from BILLY THE BROOKSIDE BEAVER

They say I am too EAGER

But that is WHO I am

I feel I may be "up a creek"

But they are saying "DAMN"

I am a little vestige

Of my own City's lore

The Wildlife that abounded here

It can be seen no more

The deer have all been rustled off

The other groups are dwindling

So many trees as well are gone

But they do make good kindling

My coyote brothers have been trapped

They also helped it's true

They kept some pests well in control

But they are losing too

The raccoons often are displaced

Some think that they are crooks

But Robbers like that are so cute

Such striking handsome looks

The possums meet a sorry fate

They can't keep up the pace

With speeding cars that move so fast

They're in a hapless race

The crows are smart  They know

We humans all are in a craze

They try to figure out what gives

They must be in a haze

So please don't trap me-- Let me live

I bring a special gift

To learn the joys of wildlife

It might give you a lift

Just set aside the many games

That humans seem to prize

The competition--fancy cars

"I'll show those other guys"

If you slow down and get in touch

With all  Nature can bring

You  may find out -to your surprise

It makes your Heart to sing

My wetlands all are dwindling

For we are in a drought

Don't trap me in the water

That's what I'm All About

To try to build a nice fine home

Beside a flowing stream

Well can you blame me --don't you see

That's any  Beaver's Dream !

Jean Monce Bryant 

Lake Forest Park