The picnic was not quite so delightful as promised
with the unexpected showers
the poisonous spiders
and the empire of squirrels
whose domain felt surprisingly threatened on this unprepared day.

I’m sure the clouds will dissipate
anytime now
but the territory won
by the invading rodents
may not be reacquired
for years to come.
It may take many months to understand
how to withstand their acorn barrage alone.

I do not look forward
to forecasting the coming of spring.