Tea With Squirrel Poem by Savita Tyagi

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.