Carolina wrens

An unruly mob of squirrels

used to hold rallies in our yard

but not for a while

Maybe, it’s because of autumn

or maybe, the feral cats

or maybe, because I raked the pine cones

in a pile the city carried away

But I’m okay with that

because Carolina wrens

have moved in

One sits on the wood pile

calls to one in the park

that calls to one up the street

that calls to one in my neighbor’s yard

That calls to the one on the wood pile

a three note piercing call

again and again and again

I don’t know what they’re saying

or what they want

maybe, they just like the sound

maybe, they are safe distancing

Reassuring friends and family

happily calling back and forth

I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m alive

10-1-20