War wolves whisper soft to one another:
Where, where shall we go now? Far, far
from the killing-machines’ too-human roar
somewhere where we may hear
Our own moon-cries once more:
North.
North, on and on they go
always under forest’s cover:
The wild wolf and the lumbering
soft-footed bear
to the forests of Slovenia:
only to be persecuted there?
One wilderness re-wilded
another abandoned. Perhaps
the people think they’ve nothing left to fear
once the wolf and lumbering soft-footed bear
are gone and all the woods are clear
of mines:
In the human-haunted wolf-abandoned forest
tread lightly if you dare;
though Man, the greatest predator
has had his way here,
he too, soon shall have his day
safe habitat for him alike
no more.
© Experimentsinfiction 2020, All Rights Reserved
Written for Earthweal’s Weekly Challenge. This week, Sherry is hosting and she has asked us to do the following:
Share any example you wish of a human or non-human being, and the impact it has on its surrounding ecosystem. Share your wonder, your despair, your hope, your respect: whatever this challenge brings up for you. I look forward to being amazed.
Sherry herself wrote about wolves and how they affect every part of the ecosystem they inhabit in a positive way, in terms of nature being in balance.
Wolves and bears in Slovenia
I was told that during the Yugoslav Wars which lasted from 1991 to 2001, bears and wolves fled North to Slovenia, where the conflict lasted a mere 10 days after the Slovenian declaration of independence in 1991.
Upon further reading, I learned that Slovenia is one of the few countries in Europe to have a permanent wolf population. Though wolves have been persecuted as in other countries, they have never been completely wiped out. I believe the same is true of bears, and both populations are on the increase, which of course brings them into conflict with agriculture.
I was dismayed to learn that a law had been past last year allowing a cull on a set number of bears and wolves. It seems that we regard ourselves as having a God-given right to use the habitats of other creatures however we see fit. Perhaps this policy will backfire on us one day.
Soft footed bear…I loved that!
Thanks 🐻
“Somewhere where we can hear our own moon-cries once more.” Oh this really speaks to me. Wolves have to go far to evade us any more. I am thankful for the vast northern spaces. But yes, they are under threat everywhere. I, too, love the soft-footed bear. I agree, man is the greatest predator……the most dangerous one, at least. Not much greatness showing these days. Sigh. Our bill is coming due. A wonderful write! It is disheartening about the cull. They do it in Canada too, though our wolf populations struggle terribly. And they dont understand that when they kill one wolf in a pack, the entire pack suffers. Sigh.
Thank you, Sherry. It’s so sad isn’t it? I think there are less than 300 wolves here. And yet we must sacrifice the natural world to benefit ‘the economy.’
We still do not understand our (small) place in the ecosystem. We are nothing without the rest of the living earth. (K)
This is an amazing post 😍
Thanks, I’m pleased you enjoyed it 🐺
My pleasure
Yes it will, it has “backfired.” However, going back over twenty-five years now, to undergrad psych days and an all-the-rage “small group” discussion, I dredge-up and offer this for your consideration. Have you ever seen a deer starve in winter? It is not pretty. I can only imagine it is not pleasant for the deer. The alternatives are to feed overwintering deer or “harvest” a (however determined) surplus that depletes natural food reserves. Import wolves? Hunting? Controlled herd, harvest, and feed starving humans? It’s a tough nut. Ignoring the problem will not solve it. I do not believe the deer will solve it, not the natural wolf population. (Sigh) That leaves man for all his flaws and error. Just something to think on.
I’m not opposed to killing deer for food if there is a surplus population. That is part of nature as well. The problem with killing wolves is that there is definitely not a surplus population. 2 million humans v 275 wolves in Slovenia. Seems a bit selfish and certainly unnecessary to kill any of them.
Your point conceded on wolves, certainly. But it’s that we cannot stop trying to “manage” wildlife any more than we can stop trying to feed hungry children, protect the defenseless… To let it go doing nothing is well, inhumane. Part of the management problem is educating humans.
Came to congratulate for your Hobbo Award. Got side–tracked. So. Congratulations. Sir Hobbo has chosen smartly.
Thank you kindly 🙏
Excellent writing!
Thank you 🐺
You’re welcome! I guess you can tell I like wolves lol!
Powerful warning. Man is also man’s worst enemy.