In Australia, the expression ‘to stir the possum’ means to stir up trouble, controversy, or interest in an issue. So I thought I would use that expression to generate awareness of the critically endangered mountain pygmy possum. There are less than 2000 mountain pygmy possums left in the wild and their survival is on a knife’s edge. What a tragedy it would be if they were lost to us forever. I have just completed my mountain pygmy possum mosaic and am excited to share it with you. Then, one thing led to another, and I had to write a poem for them too. There is always hope and as usual, good people are working hard to save them. Find out more about these incredible little marsupials and how you can help them here. Now for the poem.
Stir The Mountain Pygmy Possum
On snowy mountain top, precious cargo hibernate.
Stir the mountain pygmy possum.
Wake up, wake up. Spring. Time to eat.
Bogong moth will soon be here.
Stir the mountain pygmy possum.
But bogong moths will not come
From their drought-stricken breeding ground.
A solitary individual seen en route.
Protein sacrifice, the only hope.
Stir the mountain pygmy possum.
As hunger dooms and snows retreat,
Quiet Australians curl up in their dens
For one last tragic winter sleep.
The meagre snow, a shallow grave
For mountain pygmy possum.
As you can see, I got a little carried away. How could I not?
Kind Regards.
Tracy.
Response to the Ragtag Daily Prompt — Stir, and Kate’s Friday Fun — Wall Art.
Wow, Tracy! I am truly in awe of your talent. Beautiful mosaic, rousing poem and I do hope the good people everywhere continue with their excellent work. ❤️
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Thank you, Punam. I hope that too. We don’t have Thanksgiving here, but the good works of those who try to save threatened species and injured animals is something for which I am truly grateful.
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We should always be grateful to everyone who is an earth warrior. You are so welcome, Tracy.
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Brilliant Tracy, both the mosaic and poem. Poor possum, keep stirring Tracy if you weren’t I’d have had no idea the danger they were in.
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Thanks Heather. And thanks for the word prompt. I think I will continue with this theme of endangered species and do some cards as Xenia suggested.
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A very worthy theme to follow. I think the cards are a great idea!
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The mosaic is beautiful, Tracy. I wish this poem could be published in your local newspaper to make people (more) aware.
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Thank you, Lois. I could look into that I suppose. I need to get organised, something which I’m not good at.
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So many species in this same predicament, Homo Sapiens included. Thanks for helping to spread the word. If only the world would listen, act! Salute!
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Thank you so much, Ron.
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A gorgeous mosaic Tracy! 🙂💜 It would be lovely to see the mosaic and poem in a card 🤗💖 xxx
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Thank you, Xenia. Your suggestion is enough to give me a panic attack. I’m not that organised. My niece is training to be a graphic designer so maybe I could ask her to help out.
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What a fabulous mosaic, Tracy, and such heartfelt words. Sad too that my first knowledge of this lovely animal also includes notice of its likely demise. The planet has lost so much wildlife in the last decade.
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Thank you, Tish. It is a terribly sad indictment of the shortcomings in our environmental management processes, and how the efforts of concerned citizens are undermined (eg. your guerrilla gardening).
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Sad indeed.
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I can only echo Tish’s words.
Beautiful art with a purpose — the best kind.
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Thank you so much, Su.
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Very impressed Tracy with art works!
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Thank you, Sid.
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Oh Tracy this is so delightful, what a precious poem and cry for our endangered species!
Those Bogong moths are huge monsters … brought back some fond memories 🙂
Thanks for making such a wise statement on Friday Fun ❤
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Thank you, Kate. We must look after our insect monsters because they are delicious apparently. 🙂 And thank you for the prompt.
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thanks for such a worthy contribution … all our critters are precious and need to be saved 🙂
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❤
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This is stunning! And so inspiring that you use your art to inform and serve the world! You’ve made me think what I can do. 😍
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Thank you. I look forward to seeing how that works out. ❤
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Gorgeous mosaic, and a poem to emphasize. Beautifully done on both counts, Tracy!
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Thank you, Steph.
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Sterling creativity, Tracy, and we hold out hope that the mountain pygmy possum will be saved from the brink of extinction.
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Thank you, Dries.
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I had no idea there was such a thing as a pygmy possum! You’ve done them justice with your poem and the mosaic.
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Thank you so much, Liz.
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I love this so much! I wish I could have it! It’s beautiful — and so completely alive. Wonderful piece, Tracy!!!!
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Thank you so much, Martha. As you can imagine, it was pretty tricky to make, especially as I had no plan for the background. I’m still deciding what to do with this piece, but I think I should donate it to the people who do the research/rescue.
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I agree. 🙂
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That would be just perfect, Tracy! Lucky rescuers!
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I’ve never heard of that phrase, nor did I realize there was such a thing as a pygmy possum! But not what I know, I truly hope they will not become extinct. Whatever needs to be done to protect them should be done!
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It is a very difficult time for them, Ann. I might donate the mosaic to the rescue/research organisation. They deserve a medal.
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What an important mosaic! Wonderful. We have the Western Pygmy possum here, and it is protected. near where we live there has been some mapping done to ascertain population. but with every development, road and project it is getting harder. We have some in our garden.
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Important? Not sure. Still deciding what to do with it. You are so fortunate to have such beautiful companions in your garden, Paul.
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They are a treat.
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I love, Love, LOVE your new mosaic, Tracy!!! 😍❤ Those Mountain Pygmy Possums are just adorable!! And it would be the perfect gift and medal for the rescue organization that helps this endangered species – I know I’m terribly selfish, but I wish I was one of them so I could claim your beautiful work. 😁 Drawing attention to important causes and showing and sharing the beauty of the world – there’s no better way to be creative. ❤
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Thank you so much, Sarah. I’m so glad you like it. It is a little selfish of me but I really hope that my art can make a small contribution to species conservation.
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I think it really does contribute, Tracy!
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What a gorgeous mosaic! I agree with Sarah —Art is at its best when it draws attention to important causes and shares the beauty of nature. You have done a great job in both.
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Thank you, Dominique. As you know, our beautiful natural world provides much inspiration.
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Totally agree! 🙂
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Bravo! Well done with the poem and the mosaic!
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I’m so glad you like them, Lani. Thanks so much.
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Educational, too!
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🙂
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This is more than art! Your mosaic is just amazing! I love the poem too.
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Thank you. It’s nothing less than the mountain pygmy possums deserve. But gee, it was difficult. 🙂 So glad you like it.
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Your mosaic is absolutely breathtaking. Your composition and colors are perfect. Having tried a mosaic once, I know how difficult a medium it is to master. The apt poem reflects a world that takes more than it gives, true for so many creatures and people. We should remember this as we enter a sometimes decadent season. Thanks for the reminder about what’s really important.
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Thank you, Sharon. It wasn’t the easiest to make, that’s for sure. It might have helped to have a plan for the background before I started. Our current fires have brought into sharp focus the fragility of some ecosystems. I’m sure there will be many here this year who are just grateful for a few hours with their families. It has been an exhausting few months.
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Looks like I’ve responded to a comment elsewhere. Just love it Tracy. Such a difficult medium, and I can only imagine the patience and thought process needed to create this. The poem is a delight, too.
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Thank you, Dawn. There is a lot involved so I spend a lot of time procrastinating, haha.
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