TITLE: Burgers By Leah Nichols 08/26/08 |
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Beneath star-speckled midnight sky
Escapes from me a woeful sigh
For hunger pangs have gripped my gut
The raided fridge stripped empty but
One hope remains to cure my blight
On bar-be-cue, now flaming bright
Yet in this moment I must wait
For sizzling burgers on my plate
But soft! Beyond the porch light glare
I spy another's eyes that stare
Upon my lunch; desire's gaze
Seen clearly through the foggy haze
I grip my plate in tensing fear
For unknown danger lurking near
What creature lurks, in shadows veiled
My victuals fixed as aim entailed
I squint and lean to view this beast
Who dares to venture at my feast
A bandit's mask about his eyes
And striping on his tail besides
This scheming thief's objective plain
To steal if he can but obtain
Four burgers roasting on the grill
His nightly forage once to fill
A screeching clamor draws my eyes
Above the rafters toward the skies
Two blackened beaks, four fluttered wings
Perch on the roof like pompous kings
Could omnivorous diet yearn
For beefy patties soon to burn
Now with three animals in line
Can I reclaim the dinner mine?
My eyes behold in peripheral view
Yet one more creature's bold debut
With pointed snout and naked tail
Upon the porch's painted rail
This vermin leaning near the flame
Now braves the light for but the same
My food no longer ample meal
For all of them, and me, I feel
What answer find for this my plight
On moonless, inauspicious night
The grill turned down, my plate still posed
But can I risk my meal exposed?
With blackbirds, rat, and coon still near
My dinner's fate as yet unclear
Though plans try forming in my mind
No answer hitherto defined
When suddenly, a piercing squeak
As talons grasp the rat's oblique
For silent flying owl had spot
His meal, who simply had forgot
To watch for risk; a grave mistake
No more a party to partake
Of burgers cooling in the chill
But three remain to sample still
As headlights turn around the block
The bandit's eyes grow wide in shock
For moment's time will soon reveal
His frame which he cannot conceal
He leaps across to bushes wide
As certain he does not abide
For others to his aspect see
Now one less rival yet for me
My grumbling tummy longs to munch
Upon my nearly frigid lunch
And on the roof those blackbirds cackle
My plate undoubtedly sure to tackle
At very point of hope's despair
Another voice rings through the air
"MEOW!" cries Fluffy, with a leap
Dispersing crows in single sweep
My foes now vanquished, dinner done
Alas, no toasted wheaten bun!
Mustard, catsup, yellow and red
On naked plate devoid of bread
Averted crisis now forgot
As rest I in the porch-lit cot
Yet lesson learned, I now decide
To keep my kitchen well-supplied
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