A Poem by Alexandra Mosquera

The Everglades. Part of Nature, part 

of me.

See through water, dirt moving wherever I step, the smell? Nature.

When did this become what it is? It was here before I existed and will still be here after I’m long gone.

Majestic trees, endless water, soft-cool breeze, little insects and spiders next to me. This is Nature, this is wilderness.

I am part of it, it is part of me. This is the Everglades.

Don’t make me go away, please Ranger Ryan! Don’t ask me to leave! I want to stay, no need to move, no need to talk, just breathe, just look, just be.