waterloo prairie is a set of two lowland, wetter grasslands along stony brook in jefferson county, wisconsin. a fen with springs and seepages is also present. blue-joint grass and tussocky sedge are common. we found a stand of snags that were unsettling and were girdled at some point. it was strange. the habitats’ integrity is maintained with prescribed burns.

thanks to the dnr for tending this land.

a.

snags line the ditch

and questions for bark:

what was the girdling for?

b.

quiet and soft on the prairie

but mammals press their business

grass clatters at the knee