A raccoon stole within eight feet.
I spoke. He looked surprised to meet.
That’s close enough, I think. He paused
to reconsider whatever caused
his route to run my way.
I captured him – a photo. He
agreed to keep his distance. We
exchanged that gaze, then off he crept.
And was he miffed that I had stepped
upon his toes today?
Before he left he found a pot
to pee against – Forget-Me-Nots.
A savvy choice; I won’t forget
his sharp-tipped paws, his mask, the set
of cautious eyes at bay.
Photo by Joseph Carosella.