Poetry Friday–Found Poem-Eavesdropping prompt…

City Coyote, © 2022 Michelle Kogan, Pencil Drawing.

Happy Poetry Friday!

My poem today is inspired by the poetry prompt offered to us by the Poetry Sisters. They challenged us to write a poem from eavesdropping on another conversation. We were provided with some wonderful examples, and a handful in particular from Susan Thomsen at her blog Chicken Spaghetti. Thanks Susan, and thanks to all the Poetry Sisters, Laura, Tanita, Mary Lee, Kelly, Sara, Tricia, and Andi. You can find more of these poems marked #PoetryPals

HUMAN-ANIMAL CITY COEXISTENCE

Let’s talk about coyotes–
They look both ways before crossing streets
They’re flourishing and doing really well
They make such a good living in the city
They stay out of our way
You’d be surprised at how good they’re at hiding.

Let’s talk about coyotes–
We had a coyote who chose a shrub to sleep in just south of the zoo
We watched thousands of people all day jogging and walking around
never seeing the coyote who was five feet from them,
camouflaged in the bush
It’s amazing the amount of ecology,
the amount nature around us all the time.

Let’s talk about coyotes–
What is it that makes them stay away from us?
It’s a smart decision on their part
Nothing good happens from a coyote’s interacting with a human in the city
We’re not the source of their food
Cars are the major mortality factor for these urban coyotes.

Let’s talk about coyotes–
Everything about us is kinda bad,
except this city we built has resources for them,
has things they want to use,
it’s really quite rational for them
to try and keep away from us.

Let’s talk about coyotes–
This diverse population of animals here is important
Being around nature is good for people,
good for us emotionally, physically
Many of these species are providing us with services
Coyote’s maybe trying to help control our rabbit and squirrel population.

Let’s talk about coexistence–
It represents a deep philosophical change–
We thought of cities as this no-wildlife zone,
a place only for people—That never works!
There were always other animals in our cities.
We’re starting to understand, we get a lot of benefit from other species.

Let’s talk about coexistence–
It can be positive to live in a place
that has nature around us.
Coexistence can be a benefit
both for them
and for us.

Let’s talk about coexistence–
If you see an animal and it’s out in the city,
your first reaction is of surprise.
But I hope that from there we go to a place
of being happy about it,
about being excited to see these other species.

Let’s talk about coexistence–
To have that sense of awe you would have,
walking around in the woods
when you see a fox,
have that same sense of awe
walking down your street.

© 2022 Michelle Kogan

Found poem taken from Public Radio Station WBEZ Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons talking with
Seth Magle, Director, Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo 1-26-2022

Irene Latham at her blog Live Your Poem is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Irene! Be sure to stop by and fill your palette with poetry.