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Pinecone protects her seeds
from squirrels, unwelcome cold.
Her tiny wooden shutters open and fold.
She showers in pollen droplets wafting through spring air;
slams door on white-headed woodpecker who loves to strip her bare.
Osprey build full-view nests high up in blue sky,
to Keep Away pesky raccoons, spot eagle flying by.
Wide world’s filled with danger. Menace will not go away.
We must do what we can do. Be safe where we stay.
Eagle mother spreads her wing,
shades chick from blistering sun,
tears fresh-caught fish into little strips, makes meal for her young.
Tortoise forage on desert dandelion,
wild white clover,
carry through one long, waterless year before
shelled life is over.
Food and drinks are essential when humans shelter-in-place.
Prepare a chock-full stay-at-home box just in case.
An earthquake causes road’s break, pandemic your unmasked freedom takes,
chemical spill seals you inside,
danger’s amplified.
Grey fox climbs tree branches
when coyotes howl, uses super senses to protect
from great-horned owl.
Listen to nature.
Watch birds of a feather prepare.
Follow the quick instinct of high-jumping hare.
Get inside, stay put when
officials order a shelter-in-place.
Prepare a jam-packed stay-at-home box just in case.
Redwood’s tough, spongy bark insulates tree from fire,
remain safe at home when you can’t leave, fates conspire.
Wide world’s filled with danger. Menace will not go away.
We must do what we can do. Be safe where we stay.
Unseen forces churn water
from the depths of every lake, replenish fish, body, oxygen, aquatic give-and-take.
Giant taro shoots its arrowhead-leaf, pins down sunlight,
adapts itself to rainforests’ hot, sticky days and nights.
Get inside, stay put when
officials order a shelter-in-place.
Prepare a sensible stay-at-home box just in case.
