The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat (Endangered Species)

Arriba, Arriba as Speedy Gonzalez would say
The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat is dying away 

Baja California is where they do reside
On a little strip of land just 100 meters wide

Due to agriculture and progress it’s sad to say
All but nine-miles of their habitat was taken away

Truly nocturnal they only come out at night
Strongly territorial they’re ready to fight

Once numbering in thousands now 30 are left
How long can humanity go on being deft?

They bathe in the dust so its sad but true
In captivity they last just one day or two

When they are threatened believe what I say
Two-meters at a time they go hopping away

They mainly eat seeds, fruits, insects and such
Amazing kidneys allow them to not drink very much 

They rarely drink water because these words are true
Their kidney’s are four-times as efficient as the kidney in you

The odds they will rebound are far less then slim
San Quinton Kangaroo Rats fate is looking rather grim

Even if you don’t hold rats dear to your heart
In the overall cycle of life they play their part

Every species on earth fulfills some sort of need
The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat regulates the diversity of seeds

Plants, insects, ants, and birds need them to survive
Without the San Quinton Kangaroo Rat they cannot thrive

Arriba, Arriba as Speedy Gonzalez would say
The San Quinton Kangaroo Rat is dying away
 

Being one who spent years in San Quinton this
endangered species caught my eye. Reminded
me of the jail house mouse that would frequent
my cell. An odd sort of connection I'll admit but
rather interesting I reckon.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 9/7/2013 11:21:00 AM
Sad but interesting write.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/4/2010 11:59:00 PM
That is interesting. I have never heard of the San quinton Kangaroo rat but will read up on it now. Very well presented Michael. good write. Charles
Login to Reply
Date: 6/4/2010 11:02:00 PM
Smile! Yes, that old familiar flowing of verse, by, my old dear friend Michael Jordon!!! ~ "Hello You Gifted Poet & Beautiful Heart!!!" ~ I hope that life is treating "You & Your Loved Ones" wonderfully Brother and, this was a very enlightening write! One for the species and, one the revealing of the authors compassionate and beautiful heart!!! "Excellent" ~ "My Love to You All, Always," John! ~ Smile, "Bye Dear Michael!":)
Login to Reply
Date: 6/4/2010 10:09:00 AM
I am not too fond of rats but sounds different. Rats equals the plague to me. lol
Login to Reply
Date: 6/4/2010 9:26:00 AM
Hadn't heard of this species before, Michael. So many have become endangered by loss of habitat. We recently "moved" an endangerd gopher tortoise to a new home because he was eyeing the backyard vegetable garden. Too bad people don't make more of an effort to see that species on the decline find new lands to roam. Excellent poem! Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Date: 6/4/2010 1:29:00 AM
An interesting read Michael, we have little Kangaroo mice down here. Thank you for stopping by...Margaret
Login to Reply
Date: 6/3/2010 12:14:00 AM
in some aspects the price of human progress is sickening, great poem Michael, i hope someone will help these animals? Your poem certainly will harry
Login to Reply
Date: 6/2/2010 6:31:00 PM
A great write. I have been quite ignorant about this. Thanks for sharing the information and thoughts.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/2/2010 11:16:00 AM
You've just educated me with this one, thanks Michael :) rgds WN
Login to Reply
Date: 6/2/2010 10:55:00 AM
This is one Ive never heard of..good write Michael..love, BG
Login to Reply
Date: 6/2/2010 10:32:00 AM
oops--sorry I meant "what YF4L meant" not "when" --my eyes are playing tricks on me hehe or it only menas I have to get off the Soup now & sleep! ;) enjoy your day!
Login to Reply
Date: 6/2/2010 10:28:00 AM
this poem of yours sure opened my eyes about the kangaroo rat--never knew these things before! Wish you the best in the contest! Thanks for sharing --& I just had to smile when I learned when YF4L meant--that is just heartwarming! Rest assured that I will be a friend for life as well--now let me head on over to Sharon Weimer's poems :) --nikko :)
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Hide Ad