2 light-hearted nature poems in Feb. issue of YCN

 

Dancing Trees

By Janet Sobczyk, 2021

All 
lined up 
like chorus girls 
not high-kicking 
but swaying in time 
to the winds of the storm 
snow swirling ’round them 
dusting, clumping on branches 
in unison they bend to the right 
forced to bow by a gust 
straighten up 
shimmy 
nod to their audience 
watching from the window.

Stinkbug in the House

By Janet Sobczyk, 2021

Slow and deliberate 

might buzz off quickly 

but crawls for now 

balancing angular body 

on delicate legs 

wanders close for a look at me 

then turns and creeps away 

the dog ignores it 

tried eating one once 

expected it to be 

as delicious as cicadas 

spit it out 

shook head in disgust 

took one more sniff 

then backed away 

still remembers that scent 

no longer is alarmed 

knows I’ll take it outside 

only to find another, later 

or is it the same one? 

keeps getting thrown out in the cold 

finds its way back inside 

feasts on houseplants 

blends in with woodwork 

ventures near the human 

oops! too close 

captured in a tissue 

back outside again. 

Note: 2020 was a bountiful year for stinkbugs because, due to the weather, 

they had two growth seasons instead of the typical one.

Click here to view Your Country Neighbor Feb. 2021 issue