This Squirrel was Playing Chicken

Posted on 2023-07-17 by Bartholomew Barker

He stared me down, right in the middle of my half
of the two-lane highway. I came to a complete stop.

Thin as a teenage mustache, he must’ve crossed
this road before. He knows who’s supposed to yield.

Then I remembered killer whales are attacking yachts
in the Atlantic and worried about dry land.

Dejected, I turned the wheel to avoid
his delicate body every bit as frail

as mine.

(For Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt and the killer whales. Go Team Orca!)

Unknown's avatar

About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he lives and writes poetry.
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30 Responses to This Squirrel was Playing Chicken

  1. Cassa Bassa's avatar Cassa Bassa says:
    2023-07-17 at 22:29

    I love this piece in many facets. The title, the squirrels and frail body, the shark attack abroad.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Michele Lee's avatar Michele Lee says:
    2023-07-17 at 22:44

    Creative writing! “Thin as a teenage mustache” – great line!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. DD's avatar DD says:
    2023-07-18 at 03:51

    I had a similar experience with a tiny lizard stopping to challenge ‘Wanna play chicken mate?’ in the middle of a bush walking trail.
    ~
    I love where you’ve taken the squirrel encounter.
    ~
    Thanks
    DD

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. berniebell1955's avatar berniebell1955 says:
    2023-07-18 at 04:01

    “Thin as a teenage mustache”

    You really are a clever *****!

    ‘The Attack of the Giant Squirrels’ – a Sci-fi classic?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶's avatar The Sicilian Storyteller says:
    2023-07-18 at 08:29

    Everyone seems to like that line … you know the one. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Kym Gordon Moore's avatar Kym Gordon Moore says:
    2023-07-18 at 15:16

    Thin as a teenage mustache? LOL 😜 You have a huge heart Bartholomew to drive around this delicate creature and respect his life. You really thought about it’s existence. In my parts, if they wander into the road, they are most likely to end up as road kill. It’s kind of funny how he stared you down, to see who would break first. Love this! 🐿

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. luvgoodcarp's avatar luvgoodcarp says:
    2023-07-18 at 18:14

    Squirrels! Either no fear or no brains. I don’t know which.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. poetisatinta's avatar poetisatinta says:
    2023-07-18 at 18:38

    I love everything about this poem 💞

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. thelongview's avatar thelongview says:
    2023-07-19 at 03:15

    Love the images and the kindness 🤗🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. sammicoxwriter's avatar sammicoxwriter says:
    2023-07-21 at 06:42

    Love the poem, the sentiment and the moustache. A kind and caring poem ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. LuAnne Holder's avatar LuAnne Holder says:
    2023-07-23 at 16:44

    I absolutely love this description of a small moment that has profound implications. “Thin as a teenage moustache” just wonderful. I had an odd encounter with a squirrel yesterday. I was enjoying an evening on the patio and my cat, a big cat, darted off to chase a squirrel. But the squirrel didn’t run away. It did somersaults over my cat, jumped on the tree, and then jumped back in his path sort of like he was playing with my cat! Quite odd. I wonder if maybe he was teaching my cat that squirrels just want to have fun. Thank you for this wonderful post and reminding me of my special squirrel event this week.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. R. Marshall's avatar Peace Truth says:
    2023-08-15 at 22:15

    What a delightful storyline 👏

    Like

    Reply

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