Tea With Squirrel

Squirrel! Come share a cup of tea with me On a sunny afternoon sitting in the vacant backyard I watch you coming out of your burrow Your furry body with beady eyes moving with quick alertness Up and down the trees before I see you getting settled On the velvety grass The sunlight in mild breeze filtering through the dark green trees Makes the waves of sunshine Dance around you. Are you as alone as I am? Do you long for a private evening with your loved one Like I do on a quiet afternoon like this. Again, I see you running around Are you busy arranging a party? Like I do sometime to hide away from my boredom Smiling and greeting the guest Often as distant at the time of parting As they were at the time of meeting And when the last guest has departed I am happy to slough off the snakeskin of punctilio And settle in the quiet assurance of my back yard Funny I should have a desire For an intimate smile Or even a friendly gaze To be exchanged with you. To converse further tell me With little ones gone Is your nest empty like mine? Not too long ago The beats of life were different I was busy like you running frantically Chauffeuring children from school to soccer To birthday parties Snatching sometime in between To peek at the yearend clearance The coupons of sale priced items Still lying in the old purse pocket! At times, I felt out of place For not being able to make it When all the friends that I knew Would gather at mall To exchange community news And lessen the burden of their hearts Their faces bright with laughter and excitement Sharing the secret of life wonderful At bargain prices! While I, possessed with some unknown urge That brings about a sudden change of heart Turn my car towards home To get a moment of peace sitting in my backyard Wishing for you to share a cup of tea with me.