The neighbor next door traps squirrels in cages
And takes them to a park with tall trees
A mile or two away. He does this because
They steal walnuts from the trees
Between his house and the street.
(He thinks the walnuts are his.)
But the squirrels and I have a plan:
We’re going to lure him into a big box,
Probably using donuts and bacon, and,
When he’s inside, we’ll slam the door
(A thick wooden door we’ve made ourselves)
So he can’t get out and no one can hear his calls.
We’ll wait till night, and then all the squirrels
In the neighborhood—hundreds of them—
Will help me carry the man in the box
Down to the river, far along its banks,
Tuck the box in a hollow between trees,
Open the door, and run away. Then we’ll see
What the man thinks about being trapped in a box
Far away from home. Sure, he’ll be scared,
Just like the squirrels. But he’ll make it back.
And maybe with each step he’ll think of a squirrel
He took to the park. Sorry, sorry, sorry,
He’ll mumble as he walks. The squirrels,
Being a peaceful folk, will forgive him,
And invite him to share the walnuts from the tree.