By Katt
Nature vs. Domesticated Nature
35 miles south of the 913 and at the end of three country miles sits a barn where nature has done its best to take back the land. Tall grass scrapes at the paint and old tree roots threaten to crack the foundation, but the farm equipment holds firm on the concrete floor showing no signs of retreat. The barn cats make their home here and protect it from the onslaught of various rodents. The mice munch on feed not meant for their mouths and the cats descend from the top of tractor tires and scatter the masses; catching one or two perpetrators in the middle of what is now their last supper. Some mice may try to find a home in the flower boxes closer to the homestead, but alas, the barn cats find them there as well.
Moles and voles dig their happy homes under gardens and in fields to the disdain of the dog who patrols during daylight hours. They find their evection by means of canine sentinel more polite than the unexpected arrival of the farmer's violent plow. The burn pile at the back of the property seems a safe shelter for displaced creatures, but the snakes who find the most comfort here have staked a dangerous claim. Safety is not guaranteed with the smell of diesel looming in the air.
It is strange to think that humans have dominated the landscape yet still found a way to merge with nature all while wielding nature against itself.