Thursday, September 30, 2010

Should Have Read the Sign


The lamp's last breath, a whiff
of kerosene mixed with the smells
of damp leaves, earth and musty canvas.
Breeze rustles across the tent.

A black mask peers from the bushes
and claws scrape the picnic table.
Nuts and raisins in a stack of aluminum trays
with the lid latched down tight—

the midnight robber grabs the stack
of pans and bangs them
on the table. WHANG WHANG!
Sleepers tumble from their bags.

My father throws a shoe at the raccoon
and it scampers off. We resettle.
Dozing in the cozy warmth...
WHANG WHANG!

It wasn't until morning that we realized
the campground was called Raccoon Creek.

--image courtesy of Magpie Tales
Collection available! Knocking from Inside

10 comments:

Harvee said...

Nice Magpie story of the midnight thief!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

magical twists...

Doctor FTSE said...

OOH! Nice! Scary! Might have been a bear!

Anonymous said...

Those naughty thieves! Very nicely done.

Teresa

Kristen Haskell said...

Oh I have so many racoon stories but yours is just wonderful. I have to admit I love those little robbers!

Reflections said...

Oh how I love nights out in nature and the wait for the midnight marauder.

Unknown said...

Stunning imagery. Nice Mag. Love and Light, Sender

Brian Miller said...

haha. love it...great use of sound...and the level of humor int he end...great magpie!

Unknown said...

I bet it was so much more funny in the morning :)

Tess Kincaid said...

Haha! Our place should be called Raccoon Manor!