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Open Poetry #16
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Midnitesun
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Gaia

0 posted 2001-10-06 03:28 PM


Oh, you sweet, sweet cow
floating trustingly
in the shallows of the sea,
my wonderful friend
the manatee,
a gentle big heart
wider than the galaxy...
but whose tail
speeding bullet boats
too often does see,
so the manatee is scarred by the
carelessness of inhumanity,
when we forget we are all a part of the
endangered manatee.

© Copyright 2001 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved
Songbird
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since 1999-12-15
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Missouri
1 posted 2001-10-06 03:31 PM


I like anything that has to do with nature, and though I will admit I don't know much about these creatures..your poem is interesting.
Midnitesun
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2 posted 2001-10-06 03:35 PM


Thanks for reading, songbird. When I lived in Florida, I saw manatees who were scarred for life by boat propellers. They are sometimes called 'gentle giants' and a Webshots photo of a manatee was the inspiration for this poem.
Kit McCallum
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since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
3 posted 2001-10-06 03:36 PM


What a wonderfully poignant piece Midnitesun ... it just breaks my heart when I hear another story of how these gentle creatures are abused in their watery homes. Thank you for this message in tribute to them.  

Best wishes,
/Kit

Midnitesun
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Gaia
4 posted 2001-10-06 03:40 PM


Thanks, Kit. And the manatee deserves better treatment, as does humanity in general.
Auguste
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By the sea
5 posted 2001-10-07 03:49 PM


Hi Midnitesun,

Yes, they're remarkable creatures and we have them here also.  These poor animals are no match for speeding boats and have no time to swim out of harm's way.  Thank you for this.

Michael  

Michael Auguste~
There is more depth to the heart than the mind can comprehend and it only has boundaries when we choose to fence it in.  

Midnitesun
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Gaia
6 posted 2001-10-07 04:08 PM


Hello, my kind friend Michael.
And may we all learn how to swim out of harm's way. Better start swimming a little faster after today.

Lone Wolf
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since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA
7 posted 2001-10-07 05:17 PM


They are beautiful creatures indeed and deserve a chance just like wolves, sharks, and other endangered species.  Nicely done.

All writing comes
by the grace of God.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Midnitesun
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Gaia
8 posted 2001-10-07 05:22 PM


Thanks, Lone Wolf. My favorite T-shirt is one with wolves on the front. I'm still looking for one with a loon, as I love that little creature very much.
Irish Rose
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since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

9 posted 2001-10-07 05:50 PM


What an original poem.  

Kathleen
nickname "Kay"

"Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently."

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