I Hear Him Knocking

I hear him knocking.
No matter. I will not let him in.
The tree exploding with sound -
better that it’s not my siding.
The cluckity…clucking,
I don’t mind, as long as
the woodpecker stays off the periphery.
His sound inviting, but he’s not invited in.

His sharp beak, hacking away.
His bright, red head endlessly bobbing.
This is no bobbing for apples.
Chisel…chisel…chop…chop.
I can take the noise as long as he doesn’t exploit his choice.

For he confers with the squirrels
to burrow into my Winter walls.
They’ve been fixed.
Don’t be up to your nasty tricks,
your antics or you’ll be in a fix.

Thank you, for now….wait! What!?

Suddenly and expectantly,
with sudden urgency, like the drilling for oil, the cruel
headbanger searching for gold…fool’s gold.

The shining objects, with owl shapes, can only deter to a point.
Smart critter listens for the creak of the front door. He’ll fly away,
then circle back and drill some more. I love the fall,

but not the fowl feathers…
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Leiser Avatar
October 3, 2023 at 7:30 PM
I was right there with you observing the drama of wily woodpecker, Kim! You are a great storyteller! Enjoyed! :)
Rodrigues Avatar
October 3, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Thank you, Laura! I appreciate you!
Buehler Avatar
October 2, 2023 at 12:10 PM
Your cozy autumn poem offers food for thought, Kim. A woodpecker once frequented my backyard, but thankfully, stuck to drilling trees. It never occurred to me then that it might try drilling the house :0
Rodrigues Avatar
October 2, 2023 at 12:12 PM
Oh they can drill and oft it is the squirrels burrowing in the house!
Buhagiar Avatar
October 2, 2023 at 8:25 AM
Pesky woodpecker. Your door might develop a hole. Joyous poem. Hugs. xx
Rodrigues Avatar
October 2, 2023 at 12:11 PM
Usually at the edges of house! Indeed, pesky. :)
Situation Avatar
October 2, 2023 at 6:15 AM
Is he in or is he out?
Rodrigues Avatar
October 2, 2023 at 6:51 AM
We deal with this constantly. Love the drilling on trees but they need to stay off the house. Such is life! C’est la vie!
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