Patricia Daniel
5312 E. Taylor St. #117
Phoenix, AZ 85008
480-326-6191
[email protected]
Submission:  Nosy Crow
Submission Date:  8/20/16
Squiggy Squirrel circled a branch at lightening speed
Around and around while holding a seed.
He stopped just a moment in order to feed,
Then raced to trees bottom, then scurried through weeds.

Squiggy dashed on the grass running over a flower
for such a small rodeo he has lots of power.
He’s for sure not the guy that you’ll ever see scower..
There’d be no surprise if he ran up a tower.

Squiggy whisked up a new tree, and looked on with delight.
A full squirrel feeder was in his sight,
And something new hung close that wasn’t a kite.
It was colorful - yellow, red and white.
Suddenly a bird with no wings gave him a fright.
“It’s out’a control!  It’s falling, or might!”

Then it went up again, Squiggy couldn’t figure it out.
It looked bright green with some red no doubt.
He couldn’t catch it, which made him pout.
But then it spoke with a Hummmm little shout.
It said: “hello what are you here about?”

“Who me,” Squiggy asked, “yes me, of course me, silly me. I’m the only one here.
“Oh I’m about eating quite near,
And would like to do so if you will stay clear.”
With that the bird frowned, her eye grew a tear.

You don’t like me already, but why?”
Squiggy felt guilty, and wanted to die.
He wanted to like her, and thought: “well I’ll try.”
“May I ask you a question" he said with a sigh.
“Oh yes, of course” the bird did reply.

“How does a bird fly without wings?”
“Oh I have wings, and mine even sing.”
Try looking closer, and check out these things.”
So Squiggy looked harder, but still nothing like wings.

“Oh my,” she said, “you’re a blind little guy.”
“If others can see them why can’t I?”
“Hummmm” she said, “I know something we’ll try.
I’ll just land, so you'll know I can fly.”

I don’t understand how landing will work.
Then if I see them I’ll feel like a jerk.
It wouldn’t be nice for me to just lurk.”
“Oh, don’t be silly, I know what will work.

The little bird landed where Squiggy stood.
He suddenly saw wings — he really could.
Knowing he wasn’t crazy made him feel good.
“I’m glad that worked — I knew that it would.”

“So tell me your name,” said the bird.
I’m Squiggy Squirrel, who some call the nerd.
She looked baffled, and said: “what’s this I just heard?
No, never say that, it’s like a bad word.”

I’m Haley Hummingbird, and I think you’re quite fine.
Let’s go to the feeder, it’s time we should dine.”
While she flew to the feeder, he balanced on the clothesline.
He said: “I’m having seeds would you like some of mine?”

“No, I drink nectar.   That’s why this long beak.
I’ve not seen you before, and I’ve been here all week.
Sadly I’ll be going ‘cause this feeder leaks.
Lucky for you, that you have those big cheeks.”

“Yeah, they’re really cool for carrying acorns and such.
So why couldn’t I see your wings very much?”
“They move so fast they nearly touch.
We’re loved by everyone, especially the Dutch

I’ve heard you squirrels are loved a lot too.
It makes us joyful, how about you?”
“I guess that’s why they feed us, it shows us they do.
Some humans hunt squirrels, but their number is few.

Squiggy said: “I’m independent, and have tricks galore.”
Haley smiled, “I can fly in all directions plus more!”
Squiggy whispered, “they say I’m hyper and erratic, but they’re just a bore!”
“I can fly forty miles per hour or more.”

“Really?” Squiggy was quite flabbergast
“That must be a blast!”
That’s double my best time in the past.
You have me beat, you’ve won at last.”

“It’s not about winning.  Rather playing together.”
She plucked her torso, and gave him a feather.
“Will you visit me often despite bad weather?”
“Don’t worry Squiggy, it will be like we’re tethered.

“Lets begin now! Let’s make some plans.
Like we can play jokes on some of our fans.”
They made a to-do list, and so it began.
The best unlikely friendship known in the land.