The Down Side of Bug Extermination
by John Hutchinson
The engine roared while Freddie sprayed
An oily mixture which dismayed
The insects all around the yard—
Too late for them to be on guard
For this concoction coated all
That fly or jump or creep or crawl.
So, trapped beneath a film of death,
They couldn’t move or take a breath.
“Oh no!”, the bugs and birdies cried.
“These guys are spraying pesticide
Upon each flower, plant and leaf.
It’s causing us despair and grief.”
The birds all clamored, “Tweet. Tweet. Tweet!
There’ll be no bugs for us to eat!
Caterpillars, lightning bugs,
Earwigs, aphids, garden slugs,
“Moths and ants and butterflies
Have met a pitiful demise.
Farewell to pastirma mosquito
And our bee and ant burrito.
“Ladybugs and spider mites
No more will suage our appetites,
And our daily breakfast treat’ll
Be no longer wasp or beetle."
Thus, with insect-life departed
From the yard, the broken-hearted
Birds, no longer finding fare,
Left this place for…anywhere.
They’re headed for another home
Where their insect meals can roam
Free of pesticides and oil
That’s sprayed atop the trees and soil.
Behind remains a habitat
Unfit for bird or toad or bat.
There’s been an insect sacrifice
So that a yard can look real nice.
Perfect flowers and lime green leaves
Are favored by those insect thieves
Without a thought of what goes on
Above and underneath their lawn.