As I Teach Nature to My Kids

Both my little kids

are pretty well-versed,

in flora and fauna.

They add daily,

to their knowledge —

and why wouldn’t they?

I’ve put effort,

into learning them,

and when I start talking,

which I do a lot,

it’s information torrent.

They pick it up,

and it becomes their

mother tongue.

Just today, they spotted:

a finch on Brisbane box tree,

migrating swallow flocks,

Chinese privet, and rockrose,

a mourning cloak butterfly,

foraged dandelions, tree amber

shamrock, turkey vulture,

and so much more.

I’m very glad,

the way things are going.

I hope they will one day

share what they know—

because the ailing world

needs these nuggets

as we perilously approach,

a climate tipping point.