Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

[Return to Poems and Thoughts index page]

Two Invaders, Meeting. I walked out back, behind the house, where I feed my steer and emu, Going slowly through the motions in the shade of the trees--it is 100 degrees F today. Two large wild, 'invading' male turkeys were nearby. I do not harass them here and we co-exist, quietly together. (They were transplanted to California from the East, Where T. Jefferson and B. Franklin argued over which bird Should be the National Symbol.) I fed grain to the emu and cow as tidbits to their daily grazing, And I had an urge to pass on some feed to the nearby turkeys. I called out quietly and threw the food in their direction. One responded and slowly walked over to the suddenly produced cornucopia. I chatted quietly and urged him (it was indeed a great 'bearded' him), To continue eating in my presence without fear. The other male partner was most reluctant and continued grazing its farther grass. (Later, after I departed, the reluctant one too, joined its brother To peck away at the remaining grain.) This all reminded me of the beginnings of the dog-- Probably children near middens piles encouraged those wolf pups, Brave enough to remain near these little human creatures, To be rewarded with special tidbits from an outreached hand, And slowly joined the ranks of that bipedal creature who was to soon dominate the planet, They, the wolf-becoming-dog, being now in the ranks of the other invading myriads! Frank Maurer 29 July 2023 1645 Hours.