Squirrel
Three eager excited faces
call out squirrel squirrel squirrel
to the scampering up the tree
the close crossings beside the canteen
where the pickings are good.
One comes inside the verandah
climbs onto the garbage can
onto the water fountain
and six hands reach out for it
Squirrel squirrel squirrel.
Tame enough not to run away
wild enough not to accept petting.
Adult fears flare up into shouts,
ineffectual, the squirrel is almost
under hand, within a hair’s breadth
of touched, the hand within a millimetre
of bitten, until the children are pulled
back from success, and Lukey
cries inconsolably. Despite mama’s
assurance it’s alright, dada wasn’t mad
and dada’s comforting, I’m sorry
I shouted and scared you, he cries on.
So close, snatched away from victory.
I don’t want mama or dada.
I want the squirrel.
Three eager excited faces
call out squirrel squirrel squirrel
to the scampering up the tree
the close crossings beside the canteen
where the pickings are good.
One comes inside the verandah
climbs onto the garbage can
onto the water fountain
and six hands reach out for it
Squirrel squirrel squirrel.
Tame enough not to run away
wild enough not to accept petting.
Adult fears flare up into shouts,
ineffectual, the squirrel is almost
under hand, within a hair’s breadth
of touched, the hand within a millimetre
of bitten, until the children are pulled
back from success, and Lukey
cries inconsolably. Despite mama’s
assurance it’s alright, dada wasn’t mad
and dada’s comforting, I’m sorry
I shouted and scared you, he cries on.
So close, snatched away from victory.
I don’t want mama or dada.
I want the squirrel.