Roll Call

Red Wolf came, and Passenger Pigeon,
The Dodo Bird, all the gone or endangered
Came and crowded around in a circle,
The Bison, the Irish Elk, waited
Silent, the Great White Bear, fluid and strong
Sliding from the sea, streaming and creeping

In the gathering darkness, nose down,

Bowing to earth its tapered head,

Where the Black-footed Ferret, paws folded,

Stood in the center surveying the multitude

And spoke for us all:  "Dearly beloved," it said.

 

                                                  -- William Stafford