Category Archives: Critters

Ants

Posted on February 6, 2021 by sputterpub

I spent my early childhood back East(Manhattan-born, Long Island reared to 8),and sure I have strong memories, not leastthe insects Mom would burn to death or bait.She never minded summer fireflies.She swatted other bugs and was appalledwhenever ants invaded. She’d … Continue reading →

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Excreta

Posted on January 20, 2021 by sputterpub

I like the eucalypt above the deck.I fancy the biota in my yard.But critters make their messes. Squirrels wreckthe seedlings and they piss from high above.The crows I love deface the wood with fleckand splat of poop – tenacious chalky … Continue reading →

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Late Theft

Posted on December 6, 2020 by sputterpub

Well finally the leaves begin to turn;the fall has been delayed by climate change.For weeks our land and forests were a-burn,and now the local fauna’s acting strange.The critters that should shelter won’t adjourn –they flit and fly and don’t reduce … Continue reading →

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Prey

Posted on September 22, 2020 by sputterpub

Encountering evisceration of a hummingbird(its guts a ruby hue, its head apart),in less than half a second, half a step, the thought occurred:the neighbor’s cat had stopped a tiny heart. And then I spied that feline beast of ebony and … Continue reading →

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Small Animals

Posted on September 19, 2020 by sputterpub

Although the count was high, I left my space.I needed crackers for my favorite three-year old – the cheddar goldfish with a facethat make his own light up in pleasure’s beam.As I approached the street, I saw a traceupon the … Continue reading →

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Thrummingbirds

Posted on August 7, 2020 by sputterpub

I never saw so many hummingbirds in 13 years of living by this yard. If I’d attempt to put their sound in words, I’d mention “thrum:” soft tongue upon the hard- called palate right behind the upper teeth. I hear … Continue reading →

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Scat

Posted on August 1, 2020 by sputterpub

My yard is rodent-rich and bird-endowed, and harbors skunks and possums frequently, but we decided deer are not allowed – they munch too many blossoms. So we built a gate atop the entrance steps that cowed the eaters of our … Continue reading →

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Another Trivial Complaint (HA 109 Haiku)

Posted on July 4, 2020 by sputterpub

Appreciating crows above my redwood deck I loathe their white shit

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A Trivial Complaint (HA 106 Magic 9)

Posted on July 1, 2020 by sputterpub

I’ve dealt with worse incursions in the past – mosquito scouts and rodent mites and ants. Perhaps my irritation should be classed a side effect of house arrest, but I’m annoyed by common houseflies neither fast nor big: each easy … Continue reading →

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A Scurry of Squirrels (HA 74)

Posted on May 30, 2020 by sputterpub

A month ago, the music of the birds was serenade from dawn to nearly noon. Today to put the garden sound in words, I hear the insect buzz and squirrel zoom. The bees are drinking salvia and flies are bumping … Continue reading →

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