Teen Ink

   it's spring now

the leaves are growing

stretching their soft greenness

into the warm air

the tulips and the daffodils

have already sprouted and bloomed

soon it will be summer

but you, squirrel

will never see another spring

you will never find

those acorns you so carefully buried

last fall

the sun will never again

turn your thick gray fur

to gold

were you young, squirrel?

did you realize that

a slip of the foot

could end your summers

and your winters at the birdfeeder?

let the breeze sing you your last lullaby

let the sun warm your back for the last time

let the grass surround you with velvet kisses

and let you draw your last breath of spring air

i will not forget