Me and the Squirrel

My fluttering thoughts on a warm weekend afternoon.

As I look out the window,

Amidst the dimly lit huddle,

of the rustling leaves;

The afternoon sun incandescing tepidly,

I can spot the silhouette of - 

the squirrel, positioned,

on a blasé tree branch.

I wonder, what it could be that it's brooding over - 

Life, just like me?

 

Right now, as I sway in my chair,

And the squirrel, capers from one branch to the next,

we seem to be living through the same moment;

with the same arduous zeal.

Meanwhile, the afternoon Sun keeps fudgeling;

unstirred by what-so-ever betides!

 

I recalculate my decisions, actions and replay scenarios in my head,

So seemingly does the squirrel, rethinking its decision -

to hide, the stealthily gathered nuts.

The ground sports lush green grass, thinks the squirrel;

And so do I!

But, by dint of some preposterous hunch, it

decides, against concealing it there.

I wonder why!

 

Maybe, life is as complicated for it as it is for me?

 

Or do we both over-complicate it?

 

Later, as the squirrel stealths its way to the nut,

even without any potential prey or competitor around,

and I re-enact the ways things could have been (only in my head),

We both are doing the unnecessary.

Maybe, we are preparing ourselves for what is yet to come!

I leave the potential conclusions to the reader.

Author's Note

Pardon me for not being able to manage the line-spacing properly. Any suggestions regarding the platform or the work would be highly appreciated.
Also, thanks a lot for reading!

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Oddly, I too often look out of my window on the activities of squirrels. They are busy little buggers, barely pausing between bursts of speed from one patch of grass to another. I seriously doubt they calculate anything; nature has pre-programmed them as to what needs to be done. They do seem to live in the moment, a skill many humans would do well to learn. I envy them that. I also envy them not having to pay taxes.

[Ansal]

You never know if they calculate anything or not... what might be apparent shouldn't always be taken for granted. Yes, I really like to feel the environment around me... and I'm lucky enough to have some greenery around where I live.
They do think about the future, otherwise what is the need to preserve food for the future, which they don't even know would be scarce! Maybe nature has wired them in that way, through incessant evolution. Nice thoughts! Thanks a lot for the perspective. Have a great day!

[Kianzeht]

Very nicely written.truly and deeply enjoyed it.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I really enjoyed this
Such a nice poem

[Ansal]

Thanks a lot! :)

[Bivita]

cute poem. well curated.

Bivita

[Ansal]

Thanks a lot! :)

[Nima.Hope]

Interesting writing, with great description and complicated vocabulary. I like to make things puzzling for the reader but at the same time, you must keep in mind that a simple poem with deep meaning(Like John Lennon's Imagine that has simple words) can go so far than many Persian Poems translated into complicated veses of English.
Nice poem.

[Ansal]

Thanks a lot for the review! I will surely keep the suggestions in mind...and yes, I like to make things complicated for the reader too! A simple, poem, however, I must agree, is very great in its scope to reach the masses. Your opinion means a lot to me. Have a nice day!

[Nima.Hope]

My pleasure my friend.
Good day✌️

[Chris Shaw]

I followed DIVYA here Ansal, and read her comprehensive review. I can’t add anything of additional benefit other than to say, this is a first rate piece of writing. I am impressed with your observations, imagery and use of language. Be sure to keep writing, you have a talent for it.

Chris

[Ansal]

Thanks a lot, Chris. Coming from you, it means a lot to me. I can't wait to learn all there is, from excellent writers like you!

[Chris Shaw]

You are kind Ansal, though I have to say there are far better writers on this site than myself. I thank you for your lovely comment.

[Ansal]

The pleasure is all mine!

[DIVYA]

As I read the poem, line spacing did not seem an issue to me at all. The poem flows on and offers several very profound thoughts about human nature and its similarity to other creatures that populate the earth. We humans do have a tendency to overthink and over complicate what could be simple issues in life. As that squirrel you were observing on that afternoon, the mind is so restless and fidgety. A simple and obvious solution is never good enough for us and we must have something more fancy or complex. Indeed, perhaps, this tendency could have evolved in us to keep us prepared for survival in a crisis in the future...?

Ansal, for a teenager, your writing is amazing. You have an interesting usage of words and a penchant for great imagery. You also created a great metaphor in the squirrel and I loved the way you used a real life situation and an everyday kind of scene to state something so much deeper and interesting. You have the potential to be a great poet. I hope you continue to cultivate your art.

Kudos! Keep sharing!

[Ansal]

Thanks a lot! You must understand how much your view on this matters to me. I will surely try to keep evolving my ideas and pen them down in the form of poetry - possibly, the only outlet for my incessant thoughts! Looking ahead to learn a lot from your as well as other's poetry on this site!

[DIVYA]

You are most welcome. Keep sharing.