"From Rain to Snow"

"The Hunt" by West Corin

"A Cursed Beauty" by Alicia Mendoza

A huntsman springs forth&nbsp; Kind eyes keep a careful watch The rhino stands strong.

Our merit, our charm &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Removes us from our abode &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thus, we are threatened.

The polar bear's ice caps are melting as sea levels rise. It's hard in our time to visualize. Images of four-legged arctic creatures stranded on the ice flood the internet while the clueless bears pray for a compromise. The human sacrifices we make affect the Polar Bears’ tough ice loss. As their ice melts, their fate is grim, a victim of our actions, on a whim. The polar bears’ eyes clash in a state of unknowing or fear while their ice friends say their last goodbye. They snap and nash, angry and jealous, but slowly quiet down as their dreams diminish. The same beautiful polar bear's fur seems to shine just a little duller. Climate change, a threat to their kind, we must act now, before it's too blind.

"The Fur's Glimmer" by Hannah Miller

"A Rhinos Life" by West Corin

Skin rough, soul soft Heels aching&nbsp; The weight of the thirty men I carry alone My vision blurs My ears illuminate Life flows on.

Attorney, Bonnie Malloy Senior, et al. “5 Things We Can Do Now to Save the 	Florida Panther.” Earthjustice, https://earthjustice.org/from-the- 	experts/2021-october/5- things-we-can-do-now-to-save-the-florida- 	panther.&nbsp;Accessed 19 January 2023. Barrett, Richard “Facts.” World Wildlife Fund, https://www.worldwildlife. 	org/species/polar-bear. 17 January 2023. "Florida panther." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 26 Jun. 2019.&nbsp; 	school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Florida-panther/631903. Accessed 18 Jan. 		 	2023. “Florida Panther: Species Profile.” NPS, https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/ 	nature/floridapanther.htm, Accessed 18 January 2023.&nbsp; “The Hyacinth Macaws: A Stunning Blue Beauty.” My Pet’s Animal School, 	https://floridavet.com/the-hyacinth-macaw-a-stunning-blue-beauty/.&nbsp; 	Accessed 17 January 2022&nbsp; “This Month We’re in Awe of the Hyacinth Macaw.” Nature and Culture 	International, https://www.natureandculture.org/field-notes/hyacinth 	macaw/#:~:text=Unfortunately%2C%20the%20hyacinth%20macaw 	%20is,were%20taken%20from%20the%20wild.&nbsp;Accessed 17 January 2022. Myrtle, Ryan. “Mesmerized by the Wild Beauty of Svalbard.” Oceanwide 	Expeditions,&nbsp;https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/mesmerised-by 	-the-wild-beauty-of-svalbard. 17 January 2023. “Parrots Conservation: How Can We Help &amp; How It Helps Us.” Lafeber 	Company, https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/parrot-conservation-can- 	help-helps-us/. January 13, 2014,&nbsp; “Poaching for Rhino Horn.” Save the Rhino. https://www.savetherhino.org/ 	rhino-info/threats/poaching-rhino-horn/. Accessed 16 January 2023. “Rhino.”WWF.&nbsp; https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub 	/endangered_species/rhinoceros/ Accessed 16 January 2023 “Rhinoceros Quotes.” Trvst. https://www.trvst.world/biodiversity/rhinoceros- 	quotes/. 20&nbsp;March 2020.&nbsp; Tandon, Ayesha and Pidcock, Roz “Polar Bears and Climate Change: What 	does the science&nbsp;say?” Carbon Brief, 7 December 2022, 	https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/polar-bears-climate-change-what-does- 	science-say/.

"Enrich The Possibility" by Alicia Mendoza

"Save Me." by Sophia Utge

For the future that we may soar through the wind of the tropics once more, Expand your awareness of our imperiled lives, At last, we may complete the spirit of the jungle. Take your knowledge and spread them like I Had spread my wings, bathing in the freedom of the forest.&nbsp; Enrich the possibility of life for my brothers and sisters. Recognize those who are aware by granting your generosity,&nbsp; So we may soar through the winds of the tropics once more.

Save me. Support my rescue centers Destroy the nasty developers who want to turn wetlands, big and small, into malls Build corridors, alike the bridges that linger above my end, that allow me to pass above the highways of hell Strengthen my federal protection, protect my home And I can protect you in return.

"The Wings Spread Free" by Alicia Mendoza

"Free" by Sophia Utge

A body of cobalt blue plumage, Whisking through the winds of the tropics Where the abundance of fruitage Highlights the forest’s beauty in exotics. Don’t get fooled by our three feet in peak And indeed, our strong and daunting beak. We are gentle and friendly by nature, So don’t get scared of our mistaken danger. Our presence is never a bore. With our intelligence peaking through our imitation, You will only adore me more. Our wonder is truly out of your pure imagination.

The leaves upon the soft floor kick up in a hurry. A blur of brown rushes by, leaving space for none. Don’t worry, she’s not in any danger, she’s just having fun. Her big paws thunder down the swamp forest, accidentally scaring the birds and spooking the sinister alligator back into the murky water. She’s the queen of her own jungle. She travels through the grasslands, wetlands, and forests and feels the warm air of the approaching August. She hunts without remorse and has become the biggest predator in the state. When she reaches her destination, she settles on a leaf bed, and watches the sunrise, awaiting the day ahead.&nbsp;

Table of Contents&nbsp; Blissfully Free "The Fur's Glimmer" by Hannah Miller.................. 6 "A Rhinos Life" by West Corin.................................7 "The Wings Spread Free" by Alicia Mendoza..........8 "Free" by Sophia Utge.............................................9 Danger Arises "Warmer" by Hannah Miller..................................11 "The Hunt" by West Corin.....................................12 "A Cursed Beauty" by Alicia Mendoza..................13 "My Home" by Sophia Utge..................................14 Our Hope "Change in Heart" by Hannah Miller...................16 "Turn Away" by West Corin..................................17 "Enrich the Possibility" by Alicia Mendoza..........18 "Save Me." by Sophia Utge....................................19 Works Cited .........................................................20

To Mother Earth, who never fails to amaze us.

For our project, we have chosen the topic of endangered wildlife. We wanted to represent a wide variety of animals, from the tropics of the rainforest to the snowy tundra winds. We have chosen to represent both widely known endangered animals and some unknown ones. We hope our poems about the Rhinoceros, Polar Bears, Florida Panthers, and Hyacinth Macaws inform our audience of their threatened lives. Never stop exploring our breathtaking world. - Sophia, Hannah, West, and Alicia

"My Home" by Sophia Utge

Roaring engines and deafening horns blind my senses. Golf courses and over-priced hotels have bulldozed my home. The humans pollute my water and lead chemicals into my humble abode. They name me roadkill and worry about their ruined cars when we collide. They don’t know how difficult it is to hide, and I wished they cherished my biome. I have my own hockey team, but not my own home.

"Change in Heart" by Hannah Miller

Cute, ice-white, polar bears starve as their sad, swollen eyes stare into the face of global warming. Having no solution to the selfish human mistakes we make. As no peace is negotiated with these white bears Nevertheless, we must diminish mistakes that go against Earth's commandments. Good things will come out of change, and thus gratitude is granted. Eagerness and determination make change possible.

hair pins and bracelets call your name echoing a fallen song pick it up engravings decorate it they hide the truth you look deeper the markings of a warrior shine through the rhino's horn has been defiled turned into disposable jewelry the rhino sits on the mantel a spectacle to be seen you turn away a rhino smiles.

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