by Suzán Jiván
I
Eastern spotted skunk
Algonquian Indian name
polecat, woods pussy
II
Short legs, broad rear end
bottoms of feet are hairless
heels touching the ground
III
Long claws on forefeet
prowling beneath spreading trees
adapted digging
IV
Self-defense weapon
musk sprayed from their anal glands
white on black pelages
V
Alarmed stamping feet
snarling and chattering teeth
contracting scent ducts
VI
Stiff legged, kept at bay
vile-smelling, nauseating
prominent white blaze
VII
Tends to just one den
placid and somewhat sluggish
nocturnal nature
VIII
Discharging its musk
sulphur-alcohol compound
running down the back
IX
Shows up frequently
walking deliberately
clumsy galloping
X
Acute sense of touch
feed heavily on insects
dig out bumblebees
XI
Catching and eating
yellowjacket colonies
pine needles, leaf duff
XII
Dens beneath buildings
under overhanging banks
streams of pungent musk
No comments:
Post a Comment