City Life
Chicago, the more time I spend with you, the more my appreciation for all the critters that live in our skies, streets, and underground tunnels grows.
I’ve spent time watching the swallowtails grow from eggs to caterpillars, marveling at how quickly they can go from the size of a seed to a finger. I’ve had story-worthy encounters with raccoons and opossums. I’ve watched the rats dance in and out of the streetlights at night. Each experience gives me a strong sense of where I am and where I belong.
Don’t get me wrong, living with all your insects and animals isn’t always ideal. Sometimes the rats try to live too close. Sometimes biking down the lakefront I get a face full of gnats. But that frustration fades quickly as I see your beauty again, like a flock of pigeons swooping amongst steam rising from buildings on a cold winter day.
And then I think of all the species lost or fading in other areas of the world, and I appreciate your critters even more. Like the humans, nature seems especially strong in Chicago. I guess we are made of sturdy stuff.
- Rine
