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Tangerine Riot

Tangerine Riot

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

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

© 2019 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

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.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

You made friends with your squirrel? That is cute. I never get to see mine, he just tresspasses when.. read more



Reviews

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.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

I like squirrels, but understand that they can cause many problems to some. Thank you for finding th.. read more
cimmy wuv xxxooo

4 Years Ago

:) yer i can get that
I enjoyed this write..I am new and love this site..I shall read more of your poetry..

Harriet

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

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

Chris
Harriet A Shea

4 Years Ago

Thank you so much Chris.
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!

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Aw those little field mice want to keep warm when the weather turns cold :) Thank you so much Robert.. read more
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 ... :)

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

I like them, but it appears from some of my responses that they have proven to be destructive and tr.. read more
Pete

4 Years Ago

i too have heard some troublesome tales from folks. wouldn't want them in my attic or garden. they.. read more
Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Yes, a lot of difference between a plant pot and eating their way through your attic :)
We have uninvited possums that are a pest when they get inside the roof. Nice work Chris.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Thank you Andrew. This posted poem has taught me something. There are many creatures who cause damag.. read more
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



Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Wow Dave, there's me complaining because my flowerpot has been used as a larder. No wonder you aren'.. read more
Dave

4 Years Ago

Oh yes they can! Lately, thank goodness, we've heard the hoot of an owl at night. We haven't heard.. read more
Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Thanks Dave. Looks like the owl has saved you from further damage. Nature taking care of its own :) .. read more
Chris,
Amazingly readable and joyous despite the loss of your bulbs. You are the queen of nature poetry . . . long live the queen!!
Tom

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Hello Tom, so appreciate your visit. You are quite right about my love of nature. As to the Queen, o.. read more
kentuck14

4 Years Ago

you bet my Lady
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

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Many thanks Margie for sharing your squirrel experiences. My tangerine riot turned up to be wonderfu.. read more
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:)

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Thank you Bunny for your visit and for sharing your story. Pleased my poem made you laugh your bunny.. read more
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!)

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

4 Years Ago

Thank you Em. Yes Stella has also warned me about the grey squirrel. I had no idea they were respons.. read more

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Added on June 11, 2019
Last Updated on June 11, 2019

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

Writing
Spoken Spoken

A Poem by Chris Shaw



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