From time to time, sundry animals (squirrels, raccoons) find our New York City home alluring. While these incidents provide great fodder for poetry and prose, I could live without them. If only…<\/p>\n
Our latest animal invasion involves a stubborn squirrel who has taken up residence in an upstairs window AC — the AC that cools my tiny writing-room. Consequently, Mrs. Squirrel (I fear it’s a she) has become a constant companion.<\/p>\n
The good news is that our squirrel nuisance has given birth to two poems — a limerick and a tanka. Both poems were also inspired by Big Tent’s prompt to write about being scared of an animal.<\/a> (I’m more annoyed than scared, but close enough.) <\/p>\n The limerick pretty much wrote itself, but the tanka was a bigger challenge. Why? Because I felt compelled to use the three words (loud, persuasive, riches)<\/a> dictated by today’s Three Word Wednesday prompt.<\/p>\n First, my limerick:<\/p>\n Dear Squirrel Squatter-squirrel, please scat — go away. And now my tanka:<\/p>\n Loud screams and clamor (Also posted at I Saw Sunday<\/a> and Write A Letter Wednesday<\/a>, which asks for letters to a pet. Once again … close enough.)<\/p>\n Author’s Note: You can find more of my animal humor here<\/a> and my squirrel humor and verse here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBy Madeleine Begun Kane<\/p>\n
\nThis is my<\/strong> house — no wildlife! Okay?
\nAnd stop building that nest
\nIn my AC, you pest!
\nIt isn’t a squirrel chalet.<\/p>\n
\nunpersuasive to squirrel,
\nplanting nest riches
\nunder my window AC,
\nher womb, I fear, rich with life.<\/p>\n