“Hello, chipmunk,” I said.
The chipmunk blinked,
her cheeks full.
Then she nodded.
“Mmmph.”
And scampered away.
I sat back,
watched her go.
I think she lives
near the neighbor’s drainpipe,
where water whooshes down
from the gutters
in a torrent
when it rains.
I wondered about her then—
is she ever in danger of
being flooded out?
While I was wondering this,
she appeared again,
cocked her head and said,
“I thought you’d never notice.”
“Notice?” I asked.
“I notice you every day
pouching leftover birdseed.”
“I thought you would never
notice enough
to address me.”
She smiled—
I swear she smiled—
“And now that you have,”
she cleared her throat,
“I will tell you
what I think.”
“What?
I leaned closer.
“I think you should worry less
and notice
more.”
-kh-
Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.
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Text and photos © 2024 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.
