Endangered Species Poem by Barry Middleton

near its creek in the everglades
the indigo snake lays wait

its den hides in palmetto brush
in realms that feel no hate

for in this land no humans dwell
to take more than the need

or hold a grudge till life is done
compelled by lust and greed

in that creek black water flows
ghost orchids bloom at dawn

a pond apple tree is heavy with fruit
and a doe watches her fawn

the snake and deer see life as just
in a garden paradise

they know no worry and no toil
it should make a man think twice