I Spoke With a Small Squirrel

I spoke with a small squirrel In my backyard We talked about the oncoming winter How the days were getting shorter She told me how difficult it was to get food And I confessed my troubles How problems with the kids Were wearing me down She only laughed Within her tiny movable muzzle And shock her gray tail Bushy as a little fir tree Those difficulties are nothing! She said You don't know what we have to go through With our kids I felt a delightful swirl in myself I was speaking with a smart squirrel In my backyard While the afternoon sun Was straining to warm up The fall air November 2009