Oh, the life of a ranger, a curious mix,
Of wildlife, picnics, and daring quick-fix!
With my badge of honor and sturdy old boots,
I patrol the greens, the trails, and tree roots.

I’m a guardian of nature, protector of trees,
A whisperer of squirrels, and friend to the bees.
When chipmunks cause chaos in someone’s dessert,
I step in to mediate—no one gets hurt.

I’ve wrestled with raccoons, persuasive and sly,
Who’ve hijacked picnics with a glint in their eye.
And I’ve faced down geese with their endless sass,
Who think every pathway’s their personal bypass.

I’ve carried lost hikers back down the steep hill,
And patched up scrapes with a ranger’s goodwill.
An injured fawn cradled, so gentle, so small,
Or a bewildered possum who played dead through it all.

But it’s not all sunshine; there are moments of strain,
Like untangling kayaks in a sudden rain.
Or soothing teenagers who can’t find their way—
(Even when they’re only a short walk away!)

Yet each day’s a gift, under skies vast and blue,
With creatures around me, both old friends and new.
I love what I do, through the laughs and the tears,
A Metropark ranger—my purpose is clear.

So here’s to the wild, the trails, and the park,
To the joy, the challenges, and sunsets so stark.
I’m proud of my work, this journey, this call,
For I stand with nature, protecting it all….

Kevin Schroeder