Tiny sparrow with fractured wing would never fly again 
And broken bobcat, lying still, a car had been her end. 
A turtle, duck, a barred owl, a fox, all did depart; 
And though the many slipped away, they’re still here in my heart.  

The baby squirrel, caught by cat, I could not save his life; 
And little wren so cold and still departed from such strife. 
Poor raccoon babe with severed spine, you never had your start; 
And though they’ve gone without a sound, they’re still within my heart. 

Throughout the years, the lives restored have numbered, oh, so high. 
How wonderful to set them free, to watch them run and fly. 
To those whose lives were shattered, one wish I would impart: 
You each remain here with me  ‘til forever in my heart. 

-copyright '02 by Carol Hardee

Among the fields of wildflowers, I walked so many a mile; 
And though the time seemed endless then, ‘twas only for a while. 
I breathed in evergreen perfume from ancient cedar stands, 
And marveled as a dragonfly alighted on my hands. 

A scrub jay boldly landed on the trail in front of me, 
And I could hardly wait for other wonders I might see. 
When evening’s darkened curtain began to settle in, 
I watched the white-tailed deer herd bed down in verdant glen. 
As tiny fawns leaped gleefully in paramount display, 
I knew the time was now at hand to end this perfect day. 

A calming day with the outdoors can heal a broken soul 
When all too many burdens have weighed a heavy toll. 
Oh, let me lie among the ferns beside a winding stream, 
To feel at peace with nature as I close my eyes to dream. 

-copyright '02 by Carol Hardee

I only wish to spend my days with you and you alone 
For you are my whole world, my love, my heart, my only home. 
Nothing do I ask of you but to let me love you so, 
For you are everything I need and all that I may know. 
I would protect you with my life if danger I may see, 
And I would never let you down; you can depend on me. 
When the time comes that I must leave upon my final day, 
I hope that you will hold me close as my life fades away. 
Please don’t be sad when I am gone because I’ll wait for you; 
I will be there to lead the way just as I always do.

 

copyright '02 by Carol Hardee

As machines plowed the earth with their steel and their might, 
The tortoise nearby felt no delight. 
The roadway was paved, and a wall grew long. 
While the tortoise nearby heard the catbird’s song. 
Many houses were built where before there were none, 
And tortoise nearby basked in the sun. 
As the trees came down, they were burned in a pile; 
The tortoise nearby did not laugh or smile. 
The ancient one bobbed his head up and down, 
Then entered his burrow way deep in the ground. 
For, you see, there was nothing the tortoise could do. 
Do you ever feel like a tortoise, too?

copyright '02 by Carol Hardee

Poor little newborn raccoon babe was starving, skin and bone, 
How frightening at such an age to be left all alone. 
A few weeks passed, and there he sat, content in every way. 
I whispered softly as I walked by, “I saved a life today.” 

Flying squirrel fell from nest onto the cold, hard ground. 
I did not know if you were dead because you made no sound, 
But soon your tiny eyes were bright as your fears all slipped away. 
I knew the words that came to mind, “I saved a life today.” 

The gray fox caught inside a trap and left in woods to die 
Was so exhausted from the stress, he could not help but cry. 
In just a few weeks, the fox was strong, and looked as if to say, 
“I wish to thank you for the help.  You saved my life today.” 

Newborn pup, not house trained yet, was left alone and sad. 
Without kind words to comfort him, he thought that he’d been bad. 
Oh, tiny one, when I saw you, my heart knew right away. 
You looked at me with melting eyes, “Please save my life today.” 

I love this life I’ve chosen, although the days are long; 
To help the many needing me, I must stay well and strong. 
So as each moment closes, and the light fades for that day, 
I am so deeply satisfied;  I saved a life today.

copyright '02 by Carol Hardee

The fumes from asphalt burn my soul where once the cypress stood,
And childhood memories remain of streams, wildflowers, and woods.
While concrete structures now stand tall to block all views and sun,
I can recall an open field where I used to sing and run.
Where once the herd of horses grazed in sweet contentment here,
Now stands the monolithic steel and concrete some hold dear.
Sweet images in memory can uplift the sorrowed heart,
Yet I must mourn each fragment of my life as it departs.
 

The hidden pond where long ago my son would spend his days
Has since been filled with sand, for it was only in the way.
Where lovely hills were once adorned with scrub and turkey oak trees
And black-eyed Susan wild flowers fed denizens of bees,
There now is but an asphalt parking lot completely bare
With not one tree left standing and no one else to care.
It is with desperation that I watch the buildings rise
Can no one else around me hear the agonizing cries?

copyright '03 by Carol Hardee

Here comes the spring with gentle breezes whispering through the air,
When songbirds build their nests and seem to flutter everywhere.
Here come the gentle fawns, pink tongues flicker on their chins,
While cottontails will forage far to find their perfect dens.
Here comes the spring with otter kits and raccoon babies, too,
The sandhill chicks by parents’ wings run by  the lake so blue.
There, mother mallard swims along leading clan of five,
While screech owl young peer out of hollow tree with sleepy eyes.
Here comes the spring and with it come the many through my door-
All needing love and kindness, food and warmth, but little more.
And just as I have been here through the years, make no mistake, 
I will be here for them until the last breath  I may take.

copyright '03 by Carol Hardee

I stepped outside one fine spring morn quite early in the day,
And smiled as chipper robins sang among the squirrels at play.
But I stopped short in disbelief, I knew not what to say-
My lovely lawn, no longer green, was in total disarray.
Some yellow flecks upon the blades of grass could there be seen.
I held my head between my hands; oh, no, what could this mean?
I moaned, I swayed, I flailed my arms, I hid my eyes from view.
For I could not withstand the pain, I cried and fainted, too.
Yellow spots upon my lawn-what would my neighbors say?
Perhaps if I packed fast enough, I could leave town today.
I ran inside and drew the blinds to hide my guilt and shame.
And wondered what the cost would be to change my legal name.
Into the garage I ventured then to find a host of sprays-
Some for rot, some to kill weeds and bugs in many ways.
I poured them with abandon into an empty pail 
To form a swirling vat of death, my mission would not fail.
I tried to stir the liquid with a metal garden pick
Which melted as it touched the stuff.  Now this should do the trick!
Outside I crept so none would see as I dispatched the potion.
All over grass and flower beds, I cast the toxic lotion.
In just a day or two I ventured warily back outside.
The birds and squirrels lay on the ground exactly where they’d died.
The neighborhood no longer stirred with sounds of  normal day.
I heard no barking dogs, no cars, no children while at play.
And as I marvelled at the change apparent on the scene,
I giggled to myself because my lawn was finally green.

copyright '03 by Carol Hardee

As I drove along a roadway that was once familiar to me,
Among construction rubble lay a massive oak tree.
Many men were working hard to make the road wide,
But as I went past the site, I bowed my head and cried.
That oak had stood for centuries through hurricanes and wind,
To squirrels, blue jays, countless throngs, it was a home, a friend;
But now the ancient one lay still - toppled down upon its side;
And as I went about my day, I cried, oh, how I cried.

copyright '03 by Carol Hardee