Sentries: Poem 29 of 30

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National Poetry Month:  29 of 30

When I saw Mary Lee's choice from WikiMedia today I decided this was the perfect opportunity to play with a little nonfiction poetry.  I did some quick research and used some of the information to write about these meerkats who appear to be standing guard.  It turns out meerkats are quite cooperative working together for the greater good.  

Photo by Sara & Joachim
via WikiMedia Commons
Sentries
together
we listen for
hawks,
jackals,
eagles.
we watch
tirelessly.

together
we stand
while others
hunt
for lizards,
insects,
birds.
foraging
for food.

we are
ready
at a moment's
notice
to bark
our call,
warning all
to take cover,
to hide
deep
in our tunnels.

together
we stand
strong,
we protect,
we are
the lookouts,
guarding
our mob.
together
we are
one.

© Cathy L. Mere


Meerkats

  • often seen in groups
  • work together in numbers
  • a few stand as lookouts while others forage for food
  • sharp shrill call means take cover
  • eat insects, lizards, birds and fruit
  • strong sense of smell
  • good digging abilities
  • two or three meerkat families live in "mobs"
  • predators:  hawks, eagles, snakes, jackals
  • can run up to 37 miles per hour



Resources
Meerkat:  National Geographic
Fun Facts About Meerkats:  Live Science
Meerkat:  Animal Fact Guide
Ten Facts About Meerkats

Comments

  1. Mary LeeApril 30, 2013 at 5:15 AM

    Cathy,

    Yours is the perfect meerkat shape!

    I, too, will share your poem with my students. It is a micro-example of what I am looking for with their NF research. You have your notes, your resources, and the original piece you created using your information. Thanks for the minilesson!

    ReplyDelete

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