Tangerine Riot

From the archives, and a bit off season :)

I buried tulip bulbs

this morning

beneath a bed of soil

in a terracotta container

only to find a grey squirrel

had got their first.

No doubt in the cruel months ahead

when he is hungry

and discovers his larder

empty of walnuts

he will become agitated

I don't wish to appear mean

but he has the whole length

of the garden and beyond

at his disposal

I have one container

in which I am planning

a tangerine riot in spring

In any case

he doesn't pay rent

Reviews

[Jade]

This is cute, I have a squirrel in my yard that is kinda picky. I give him peanut butter sandwiches. He loves them, but I ran out of peanut butter, so I threw him some nuts and he throws them at my door. So I went and bought peanut butter and made the little brat peanut butter sandwich. Enjoyed your write.

[Chris Shaw]

You made friends with your squirrel? That is cute. I never get to see mine, he just tresspasses when he thinks he will. Thank you for sharing.

Chris

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

This i found a little humourous, i loved the ending. I love what its about, unfortunately animals can be annoying but they are to addorible to stay mad at.

[Chris Shaw]

I like squirrels, but understand that they can cause many problems to some. Thank you for finding the humour here. That is what I was intending. By the way the bulbs were magnificent when they came up in spring.

Chris

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

:) yer i can get that

[Harriet A Shea]

I enjoyed this write..I am new and love this site..I shall read more of your poetry..

Harriet

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Harriet. Welcome to WC and I appreciate your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Harriet A Shea]

Thank you so much Chris.

[R.E. Ray]

A good bit of humor... and truth here, Chris. I’ve experienced similar feelings. I live in a farming area, grain fields bordering my house, and yet I’m surprised and annoyed when field mice take up residence in my house each winter. How audacious, the little trespassers!

[Chris Shaw]

Aw those little field mice want to keep warm when the weather turns cold :) Thank you so much Robert for reviewing this old poem out for a breath of fresh air.

Chris

[Pete]

this is delightful. this is the good stuff of life and you do it a fine justice. grabbed and held all the way through as i smiled. terrific ending Lol ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Pete. Pleased you enjoyed the ending. I really appreciate your visit. Just a bit of everyday life :) All good wishes.

Chris

Chris

[Pete]

amazing creatures they are. very smart, curious, energy-filled curious and industrious. i love squirrels ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

I like them, but it appears from some of my responses that they have proven to be destructive and troublesome :)

[Pete]

i too have heard some troublesome tales from folks. wouldn't want them in my attic or garden. they bury things and forget where and can dig up a mess of trouble ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, a lot of difference between a plant pot and eating their way through your attic :)

[andrew mitchell]

We have uninvited possums that are a pest when they get inside the roof. Nice work Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. This posted poem has taught me something. There are many creatures who cause damage to our homes yet alone using a flower pot as a larder. I appreciate your thoughts a d your visit.

Chris

[Dave]

I use to like squirrels until - Oh my goodness! Some time ago one found its way down into our living room and tried to gnaw his way out the front window frame. Another came down the fireplace chimney and was too stupid to find its way back out again. Out latest misadventure was when a woodpecker put a hole in our cedar shakes on the side of our house and then a squirrel decided he'd expand the hole and try to move in. He actually got most of the way into my younger daughters' bedroom. To say the least we are not very happy with our squirrels. Lots of luck with yours.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Wow Dave, there's me complaining because my flowerpot has been used as a larder. No wonder you aren't fond of squirrels. I had no idea that they could cause so much damage. Many thanks for sharing.

Chris

[Dave]

Oh yes they can! Lately, thank goodness, we've heard the hoot of an owl at night. We haven't heard one in quite some time. We are happy for this since it seems that owls like to hunt both woodpeckers and squirrels. I shouldn't say anything, an bring bad luck, but since hearing the owl we haven't been bothered by either the woodpecker or the squirrel.

Take care - Chris and enjoy your summer Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave. Looks like the owl has saved you from further damage. Nature taking care of its own :) You have a good summer too.

[kentuck14]

Chris,
Amazingly readable and joyous despite the loss of your bulbs. You are the queen of nature poetry . . . long live the queen!!
Tom

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Tom, so appreciate your visit. You are quite right about my love of nature. As to the Queen, one is more than enough in the UK, and she does it splendidly. :)) Hope all is good with you a d thanks for checking in.

Chris

[kentuck14]

you bet my Lady

[barleygirl]

You are hammering my sore spot! The squirrels here are a HUGE nuisance! I totally love how you get across a possessive, protective, whiny sense of grievance, this being your only spot for color. I love the phrase "tangerine riot" . . . a vividness which contrasts with the restricted sense of clutching this precious pot away from the squirrel. This describes my current squirrel wars so well! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Margie for sharing your squirrel experiences. My tangerine riot turned up to be wonderful.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

For three years i planted bulbs in the front of my store to no avail and every year i have to go to A local farm and buy flowers and every year as i till thru the soil to plant said flowers the bulbs are not there? Perhaps its a squirrel... city squirrels are clever little things he was probably watching me and waiting to pounce his "annual" smorgasbord perhaps this next year i will just throw some walnuts on top of the planters! This poem made me laugh my bunny tail off:)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Bunny for your visit and for sharing your story. Pleased my poem made you laugh your bunny tail off.

Chris

[emmajoy]

As ever your words make for interest and/or smiles. However, although I'd never harm a creature, can't enjoy grey squirrels, they do far more harm than good, especially to red squirrels> Plus they create havoc and mess with/to bird feeders. (But.. but, if you want to see red squirrels, try Brownsea Island, off Dorset!)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em. Yes Stella has also warned me about the grey squirrel. I had no idea they were responsible for seeing off many of the red ones. Thank you so much for your visit. Most appreciated.

Chris