There is nothing quite like this sound in the middle of the woods at night, just as you're settling in to sleep.


The Raccoon

Not being afraid of anything
You don't care how much noise you make
And your claws ripping the styrofoam cooler
Make shrieks of utter agony
That bring the man running and shouting.

Not certain whether the stick he is pointing
At you is only a stick, you grab what you can
And ratchet up the nearest tree, leaving him
Ten feet below, barking at you like the dog
That's racing rings around the tree now.

Your cousin the bear has the advantage
Of size, though his hunger is no bigger
Than yours right now, nor his courage;
The fear that you smell isn't yours,
But right now courage is patience,

Hanging on and waiting where you are
Until the impatient man and dog
Give up and retreat to their tent
And leave you, if nothing else tonight,
To savor the sweet taste of victory.




Poetry by countryfog
Read 412 times
Written on 2011-01-30 at 15:29

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ngaio Beck
Sounds like you'vr done a round or two with the varmints.Very engaging write.(By the way,they make the worlds worst pets!
2011-02-16


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Not a bad meal, all in all.

Strangely, nearly all of my experiences with raccoons have occurred in the middle of the city, not in the wilds. I used to see them, in packs, rifling garbage cans. They're cheeky boogers, not quick to dart away just because some human is wandering past.

They also seem to be intensely loyal. Now that I live in the country, I often see dead raccoons on the road. I almost never see one at time. I'll see two, sometimes more.
2011-02-02