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Wilderness

There's a marsh far beyond the back yard fence
It's best in the early morning when the air is cool and dense
Long blades of grass bend with the heavy dew
And whisper by silently as I sear for clues
Of who or what has decided to invade my domain

Puddles form around my white spats from last night rain
As I slink low to the ground and breathe in scents galore
Tracking spoor while my ears swirl to capture foreign sounds
With the crackling whispering grass to aid my solitude
Having not decided if I'm stalking Sport or Food

Up ahead I can smell a warren of small Marsh Rabbits
Humans call them Hares, as is their habit
They are small, quick and sly and I give them a quite wide berth
For even the smallest animal has it worth
Drawing out larger animals from the wood line and the sky

Beyond the Rabbits a a chattering nest of Quail
Slithering silently through the grass that whispers and sighs
Keeping below the blade tips, my senses never fail
Though I see the Mother circling high above
Trilling with a noise not unlike a Dove

Another languorous step and I smell the musk of a raccoon
Meandering wide and cautious to find a hovel roughly hewn
Also tiny paw and claw marks that betray its path
I sit silently and ponder if the Intruder shall feel my wrath and sorrow
For it is time for Lunch and I'll let you know Tomorrow!

Jack Deth~ 04/02/06