“If you have men who exclude any of God’s creatures

From the shelter of their compassion and pity,

You have men who will deal likewise

With their fellow men.”

St. Francis of Assisi

Many still believe that we as human beings

Are supposed to care for earth’s many creatures

But it seems that many others in our modern world

Believe land development is our most revered feature

Many of our so called representatives in Congress

Want to gut the Endangered Species Act provisions

Which have allowed many of earth’s varied animals

To avoid complete annihilation and to keep on living

This act was passed into law way back in 1973

And it has enabled both the wolf and the bald eagle

To make significant comebacks in our modern world

Just two of the many species which many consider regal

But these days developing every inch of land we can find

Seems to be this nation’s utmost penchant and desired goal

Which very sadly leaves many of these endangered species

With absolutely nowhere left in this nation that they can go

The majestic grizzly bear has been reduced to two percent

Of its former ancient natural habitat and home living range

The grey wolf is now being shot down from aircraft in Alaska

Which to an animal lover like me seems horrendously deranged

Gutting the Endangered Species Act allows more land development

And will leave the majestic panthers of Florida with nowhere left to go

Gutting the Endangered Species Act allows more toxic pesticides to be used

And too many of the animals in this country will now the Way of the Buffalo Go

If you believe that we as human beings have a moral responsibility

To care for and protect the many animals with whom we share this earth

Please take the time and the effort to contact your representatives in Congress

Enabling us to continue to regard our nonhuman neighbors with dignity and worth

©2005, Ed Kostro