through the blinds

the lecture is monotonous, so i escape
to my space - 2'x2" and bounded by aluminum....

a lone squirrel with acorn-filled cheeks
takes his winter provisions,
four at a time, up a long climb,
to somewhere above my 2".
down again and gone awhile....

raindrops careen recklessly on the pane.
colliding, stopping, darting to the side
like miniature speeders and stopsign-unheeders
let loose on 2'x2" of blacktop....

as the bell rings, i turn and see
someone else escaping through the blinds.
a kindred spirit?
no - a classmate sulking over being caught
in the rain
without her umbrella.

19 dec 1984