Blessed are the small creatures of the land
the wise rat, bringing gifts of wisdom and tenacity
the playful mouse, creative rabbit
spiders connecting vibrations with patience
snakes of spiritual intuition
protect them from those who misunderstand.
Blessed are the least of underwater creatures
krill that feed majestic whales
mosquito-devouring minnows
the adaptable octopus concealing its truth
salmon determined to spawn
protect them from human misuse.
Blessed are those occupying two worlds
transformative frogs, teaching us balance
persistent turtles following the currents
two-lined salamanders, skin for lungs
balanced in life, on land, and water
protect them from hidden dangers.
Blessed are navigators of the air
scissor-tailed flycatchers, nurturing warblers
bats of quiet esoteric magic
rebirthing of gentle luna moths
mastery and collaboration of bees in the hive
give them sweet life, protection from harm.
Mona Mehas (she/her) writes poetry and prose from the perspective of a retired disabled teacher in Indiana USA. A Pushcart Prize nominee, her work has appeared in over 70 journals, anthologies, and online museums including Paddler Press Trip Log and IHRAM Literary magazine. Her poetry chapbooks, Questions I Didn’t Know I’d Asked and Hand-Me-Downs are available on Amazon. Two of Mona’s poems received first place honors in the 2023 Poetry Society of Indiana Fall contest. Mona is Editor-in-Chief of Cicada Song Press and 2nd VP for Poetry Society of Indiana. She is searching for a home for her first novel and working on a novel in verse.