“Look at the sky after the sun goes down today and make something inspired by what you see.”

November Afternoon

through double-hung windows
mama notices squirrel silhouette
against cold gray sky

resting her teacup in the sink
she sees squirrel’s still, sharp stare
over jaws turning a silent snack

big yellow gears disturb them both
distracting the delicate rodent
and draining mama’s focus

children spill from the school bus
a chaos of coats and backbacks
tumbling through the front door

when mama looks out again
her companion is absent or invisible
against a sky suddenly dark