A Minnnesota spring

Day after day, over the snow blanket
now shrinking, now growing
among the naked trees,
ragged post-winter tail bobbing in the air,
a squirrel skitters back and forth,
over the many footprints (dog, human)
looking for something to eat,
unconcerned about spring.

One day, it snuffles around the bushes,
building a nest for its first litter
of the year, perhaps.
The next day, two squirrels
squiggle from bush to bush
tails flicking, moving so fast
it sometimes seems like a hallucination.
This morning, no squirrels.
I hope it’s babies.

April 03 2023