L Milton Hankins Poet Sonnet

Red Squirrels

The red squirrels forage among the fallen leaves
Searching for peanut hulls magically appearing,
After an old man comes out in rolled-up sleeves
Scattering special treats for the animals endearing,
They think he is friendly, though never too close
Keeping their distance they observe him carefully,
Those humans always a threat to animals pose
But they accept his nutritious offerings gleefully.

Chattering to each other while stuffing their jaws
The red squirrels are storing up food for the winter
Ripping open the hulls with their razor-sharp claws
They fill their bellies with these kernels for dinner.
Afterward, they curl up in their nests for a snooze
Content with their habitat, they do as they choose.

Written October 30, 2022

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Linda Alice Fowler November 1, 2022 at 7:26 AM You've captured the moment here. Love the squirrels. They'd come on the deck to eat out of our hands if we'd let them. LOL L Milton Hankins November 1, 2022 at 8:53 AM You do have to be a bit careful that they don't bite you. They can carry some nasty diseases!

Caren Krutsinger October 31, 2022 at 1:01 PM Your imagery is profoundly wonderful. I see them now "Ripping open the hulls with their razor-sharp claws They fill their bellies with these kernels for dinner." L Milton Hankins November 1, 2022 at 8:53 AM Thanks, Caren. They are so much fun to watch.

Mike Gentile October 31, 2022 at 5:06 AM Milt, I love watching squirrels and their antics! Your lovely Squirrel Sonnet is fun to read and brings a smile!! Happy Monday!!! L Milton Hankins November 1, 2022 at 8:54 AM Mike, thanks so much for the read and the comment. Have an awesome Tuesday!

Sara Kendrick October 31, 2022 at 4:24 AM Ahhh!! I have seen some come and get close at a park where a person comes every day to sit and give them food. Thanks for sharing this neat one and for dropping by my page . Sara L Milton Hankins November 1, 2022 at 8:54 AM You are so welcome, Sara. Thanks for your read and comment.

Barry Stebbings October 31, 2022 at 3:49 AM Well composed nature sonnet, Milton, enjoyed reading this. // Barry L Milton Hankins November 1, 2022 at 8:54 AM Thank you so much, Barry. It is good to hear from you.

Beryl Edmonds October 30, 2022 at 7:21 PM Squirrels are a delight to watch and so endearing with their lovely bushy tails. Only see grey squirrels here in the UK, though as Tom said red squirrels are to be seen up in Scotland. A splendid sonnet… Belle L Milton Hankins November 1, 2022 at 8:55 AM Thanks, Belle.

Judy Ball October 30, 2022 at 4:53 PM I really like squirrels. I find them beautiful and fun to watch. The ones I grew up with were grey and the ones we have around here are black. Nice write Milton. God Bless, JB L Milton Hankins November 1, 2022 at 8:56 AM I will occasionally see a black one and, also, an albino, but we have mostly gray squirrels. Actually, I have all colors of them in my yard. Used to only see gray ones, but they've mutated, I suppose.

Terry Flood October 30, 2022 at 12:39 PM Luckily, here on the Isle Of Wight, we still have red squirrels because the grays haven’t got here yet. Certainly are fun to watch but not quite so ‘in your face’ as those grays. Hmmm… I hope I’m not the old man you referred to. Nice write. Terry L Milton Hankins October 30, 2022 at 1:56 PM Nope, Terry. I'm afraid the old man was me!

Tom Cunningham October 30, 2022 at 12:26 PM They greys have become the dominant squirrel in the UK now, have only seen red ones in Scotland. While gardening I came across treasure, a squirrel had buried nuts for the winter.. Tom L Milton Hankins October 30, 2022 at 1:57 PM How interesting is that! Normally they remember where they put them. Thanks for the info about their dominance in Scotland. I did not know that.

R J. Elless October 30, 2022 at 12:24 PM Milton, You are Rolling and flowing. Fine poetry. Love the subject. H L Milton Hankins October 30, 2022 at 1:58 PM Thanks so much, H.

Andrea Dietrich October 30, 2022 at 11:09 AM i really enjoy squirrels and their antics. My sister in Arkansans lives where there are many black ones and her husband calls them black rats, which I find so cruel. This is lovely, Milt. L Milton Hankins October 30, 2022 at 12:04 PM Thanks, Andrea. The squirrels in my backyard bring me a lot of pleasure.