On the Care and Feeding of Rodents

Athens, Georgia
August 25, 2018

There’s a squirrel on my bird feeder 

scarfing a batch of sunflower seeds 

which I bought for a tufted titmouse 

and a faithful pair of chickadees. 

But hidden on the kitchen deck –

a fully loaded water cannon 

dripping from the business end.

The boy inside me smiles. 

I shoulder the Stream Machine 

Hydrobolic Water Launcher™ 

and take my righteous aim –

justice shall be served wet. 

The thief is hanging upside down, 

hind feet clutching roof-top struts, 

front paws clawing side-wire mesh.

I see she’s a mama, and freeze,

recalling one cold winter evening

in the old Oglethorpe farmhouse 

where my wife caught the kitchen 

mouse in a live trap. It was late, 

so she placed the pest in a Mason jar.

Morning saw the slick rodent nursing 

a litter of newborn pups. The fate 

of generations hung in kindly hands.

Guess who fashioned a luxury nest 

in a snug corner of an unused barn 

stocked with water and nuts. Yes, 

the bond between mamas is strong. 

Love or scruples, I lower the soaker 

and toss a handful of peanuts instead.

Mama scoots down the slippery pole, 

greased last week (to no avail). 

As she scampers away with a roasted prize, 

my inner boy sighs and scans for snakes. 

Two chickadees light on the repurposed feeder.

If ever the peaceable kingdom would come 

it could start in a corner of creation where 

songbirds and squirrels share in the bounty 

next to a kitchen deck. Do you hear the call? 
I’m off to Kroger for peanuts and seeds.