Leaving the Wildlife

Science-management theory calls it

foresight. Our ability to look into the future

and possess a goal. Planning, preparing,

projecting into tomorrow. Other animals

ponder today. Perceive the cold, the sting

of hunger, the pluvial search for shelter.

They pursue the call to procreate without

thought of procuring a college fund.

 

On the rainy morning of our departure,

the last corn parceled among the feeders

and ground, I know they have no clue

that tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow

corn will not magically appear among

the pines, along the path, under the porch

at the place for 40 years we have called home.

 

–Joyce Brinkman (Boone County)

 

Joyce Brinkman lives in Zionsville, with her husband and a sweet cat. Her printed works include collaborative books, Rivers, Rails and Runways and Airmail from the Airpoets. She has received fellowships and grants from the Mary Anderson Center for the Arts, the Indianapolis Arts Council and the Indiana Arts Commission. Her latest book is the multi-lingual, international collaboration, Seasons of Sharing A Kasen Renku Collaboration with Dr. Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda and four global partners.

Indiana Humanities is celebrating National Poetry Month by sharing a poem from an Indiana poet every day in April (hand-selected by Indiana Poet Laureate George Kalamaras). Check in daily to see who is featured next!