Little Friend

It spoke to me, just now. It told me many things. Things I don't want to hear. Here, it speaks again, again.  --Listen. You weren't meant to be a squirrel. Not a squirrel, or a chipmunk, or a mole, or a vole, not any of these. Listen, listen to me. Trees were meant to warm you, not home you--hold you close, behind closed doors. Listen, really listen. There's a world out there beyond you, and this oak, and this branch. It's beautiful...I want you to be what you are, are you listening? Stand up! Be Free! The little thing commands me, be free? Free from what? My paws are greater than terrible maws of beasts, better than claws and feasts of meat. I live for this tree, it for me. But it speaks again, again it haunts me, this nut, this acorn, this seedling. --Listen.