yesterday i watched as a coyote moved swiftly through the snow
silent footsteps, looking back at me occasionally
am i a threat? am i an inconvenience?
dangerous, clumsy, loud human
how many have walked here before me
loudly scraping boots against dirt or snow
chatter and laughter echoing
music playing
smoke, perfume, and other stinging scents trailing behind
filthy, unnatural, human
as i watched this creature move so gracefully through their environment
i thought about all the harsh words i’ve heard spoken about them
mangy, useless, dirty, killer, soulless
but here they are
feet on snow as if it were a cloud
fur thick and full and healthy
ears and eyes alert
connected to their surroundings
aware of more of me than i am
smart
beautiful
and here i am, in awe
longing for the completeness i see before me
envious
ashamed
human
—
Fern Crossway is a conservation biologist, writer, creative, and educator working with endangered butterflies in New England and the Pacific Northwest. She obtained her BS from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Washington. Fern’s work is centered in ecology and ecofeminism and her writing often explores the relationship between women and nature, and the parallels between the subjugation of women and environmental destruction.
