Neighbourhood Watch
Aug 20 2008


When I sit on the deck,
pondering the weather
watching for the leaves to change,
the squirrels chatter and fuss.
The more irritable ones line-up
tut-tutting from the trees
— like testy neighbours
scolding incessantly.
A brave one scampers along the rail,
testing me.
And half-eaten pine cones
sticky with sap
lie scattered on the stairs like booby-traps.

I feel like an intruder, here;
even after all these years
barely tolerated.
The squirrels will consent to ignore me
as long as I remember my place
— a quiet observer;
no sudden moves,
and far too slow to give chase.