The Squirrel And The Pigeon

Picking up my towel from the clothesline,

Was when I caught up with 'em fuzzy little friends...

On this side of the electric line was a smart Barn Pigeon,

While a petite zealous Squirrel on the other end...

Causal glances grew into serious stares,

Perches grew into fumbles...

One was in a hurry to scurry someplace else,

While the other, poised, wearing a nonchalant air...

Amused and curious stood I,

As I watched them seeing eye to eye...

For every step, the squirrel took forth,

The pigeon would shift and flap in discomfort!

The billowing tensions seem to unfurl,

Many lateral scenes in the human world...

Countries on the verge of war,

Or gangs trespassing each other's turfs...

Or perhaps a cyclist or pedestrian from far,

Caught unawares across a rope bridge,

Over that wild gushing river...?

No time to see risk or formidable size,

No sign of analysis or calculation...

In fact, I saw the squirrels shift gears,

Rubbing his claws and rise up to the occasion.

He decided to take this roadblock head-on,

Scampering towards the pigeon at rocket speed...

Her peaceful penance ruined by the element of surprise,

She took off like a racecourse steed.

I didn't realize that I stood still,

While time had glided away like a kite...

Anyway, I was able to finish all my chores,

And that's how I am conjuring these visions galore...

Smiling, as I write...

• DIVYA RAGHUNATHAN :)