Squirrel Pushing Wind




Is that the wind you're pushing away
or some invisible monster coming
to steal the acorns you stashed in
the oak crevice where you live?

You've hidden your treasures well
from racoons and woodpeckers nearby,
but this monster is smarter than them
and you have no weapons to fight him.

Don't let anxiety ruin your life,
the only fear is fear itself—
Relax and get a restful sleep—
the monster is your imagined foe.

Sing a squirrel song to Spring—
Nature has enough acorns for me!


— Peter Y. Chou
     Mountain View, 2-11-2022