Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Our Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp. The first glimpse of a Vernal Pool Shrimp, Reveals a tiny, gentle freshwater crustacean, Darting here and there, busily performing its life-duties. They dig and feed, interacting with each other. Large (relatively!) fused dark eyes are prominent. They are vulnerably-tiny and captivatingly sweet. Viewing these living fossils makes one feel their preciousness. It is therefore an enigma, how anyone having seen these creatures, Could ever knowingly destroy them or their habitat. It might be equivalent to the murder of a child-- Literally. These are our fellow Californian neighbors. When our state experiences long dry spells, There is a cyst stage during which they endure in the earth for years. When the rains finally come, the tiny miniatures hatch out, Pale in color, they are generally active from the moment of hatching. As a biologist and an artist, I can only repeat once again; If we know these organisms are present, The ground must be declared untouchable at any cost. Frank Maurer 8 March 2026 1930 Hours.