13 Comments
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Stephanie Oswalt🪶✨'s avatar

Powerful, beautiful, and tragic.

Andy Smith's avatar

yes, a poem that should not need to be written

Laura Coleman's avatar

A powerful poem with the contrast between the nesting squirrel and the death trap of war; we can learn so much from nature. 🙏🏼🐿️

Betsy Johnson, M.Ed.'s avatar

The squirrel never asked who belonged there.

She only knew the branch could hold a home.

Meanwhile, far below, we argue over borders

and teach the earth to carry grief.

Andy Smith's avatar

“and teach the earth to carry grief”. yes, yes isn’t that just what we do. Thank you, Betsy

Kaila's avatar

This is deeply touching — the contrast between this soon-to-be-mama squirrel and the bombs...it aches.

Andy Smith's avatar

yes, there is such a haunting relationship between these two things happening at the same time. Thanks for reading, Kaila

Bill Youmans's avatar

Right on.

Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Too good!!!

Andy Smith's avatar

Thanks, Rajani!

Poetry Tracks In the Snow's avatar

Such a poignant and powerful juxtaposition Andy💚💚💚

Andy Smith's avatar

Thank you, Holly

David Linebarger's avatar

Like the comparison, Andy! Good poem.