ODE TO THE WOLF

Know that the same spark of life that is within you,

is within all of our animal friends.

(from Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center)

Wolves fascinate me ~ animals, strong and bold in appearance ~

with eyes of blue or brown and gold.

Forced out of habitats ~ to 'city life'they've adjusted .

Coyotes, along with wolves, are inhabiting our neighbourhoods ~

living in proximity with humans due to expansion and growth of mankind

and due to development of commercial and industrial lands.

I Simply Could Not Resist Him ~

as he faced me on a page within a colour magazine.

There he was ~ embedded ~ within a square.

His piercing blue eyes ~ and ears well alerted,

he gazed at me intently.

His facial fur of grayish white

deepened dark charcoal ~ approaching his neck and body.

Compelling, he piqued my attention ~ now worthy of a second look.

“Who are you? What do you need?”

(I wondered as I studied his face.)

Mesmerized, I was ~ just connecting with his eyes.

“What do you want?”I asked.

With piercing blue eyes still upon me,

he spoke:

“This is a photo of me ~ before a hunter raised his gun!

Bang! Bang! I balked and I howled!

And now, I'm really a clock, set in a 12-inch oaken frame.

I long to be loved ~

and can give to you ~ both pleasure and peace

'cause my 'spirit' within, still lives.

Just give me a battery or two ~ and I'll give you accurate time.

My name is 'Logan' ~ I was the 'Alpha' of my pack.

How could I refuse him?

I could give him a home ~ hanging in plain view

where daily, his face I would see.

Arriving by mail, I inserted a battery, setting his heart a-beat.

Hanging near my balcony door.

His gift to me, was and is ~ his mesmerizing eyes of blue.

Logan espies me 24/7

as I recall his pack and his life ~

and always will ~ e'en when I renew ~ his warm beating heart.

Composed by Merle Baird-Kerr...November 12, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Wolf/Coyote Habitat in Southern Ontario: The howl of coyotes is familiar sound to those who live in the country ~ and to many who live in smaller cities, as they have long inhabited the outskirts of these towns and cities ~ adjacent to green spaces, such as farmland, conservation areas and parks.

They can travel a long way using ravines, highways and roads,

walking paths and hydro corridors, although they prefer to build their dens

in secluded places where they will not be disturbed.

These intelligent and adaptable animals seeem to be able to live closely with their human neighbours and are not usually a threat to human safety, although we are their only natural predator.

Many people have concerns about these wild carnivores living in their neighbourhoods.

To live in harmony with them, it is necessary that we respect

and understand their needs.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources,

there have been no incidents of these candids attacking humans in the Province of Ontario.

Living in a city bordering Lake Ontario,

this past summer, I've not seen one wolf.

Previously, we'd see a few, whether coyote or wolf,

as they wandered our parks, shoreline and wooded areas

searching for food or dens to raise their families.