Squirrel in a Tree

Sheryl Martin
Sep 9, 2018 · 2 min read

a limerick just for Anya

A squirrel lived high up in a tree
who didn’t want anyone near, you see
so when someone walked by
he exclaimed with a cry
and dropped nuts to cause them to flee

Evidently the squirrel’s personal territory

This limerick is based on interactions with a squirrel on a recent hiking trip. I stopped to rest when I reached the mountaintop near a beautiful lake. However, a squirrel decided I was invading his territory so came close to within two feet away and began angrily chattering at me. I imagined him saying: “You need to leave, right now. I say, human, this is my tree, so you need to leave.” The squirrel became louder, “Do you not understand what I am telling you? Leave, you need to leave.” His squirrel voice was the loudest squirrel sound I have ever heard combined with a stare that was meant to frighten every perceived enemy. I then decided to take a couple of steps closer to determine his reaction. He ran up a tall pine tree so thought I had indeed won the argument, but he had a back-up plan. Pieces of tree bark began falling in my direction, and I looked up and there he was at the very top of the tree sitting on a nest with a pile of bark chips very carefully choosing nice-sized missiles to toss in my direction. I hate to admit, the squirrel won, so I turned to hike back down the mountain and leave him to his premier spot next to the lake.

Sheryl Martin

Written by

It is suffering that shoots streams of creativity out of my heart, and the brokenness of life that explodes my heart into its soul.

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