Why do squirrels play tag with tires

always waiting until the last minute to

dash beneath a car

then emerging triumphant

out the other side

this is their Squirrelly habit   

they play this game repeatedly

weaving between life and death

daring us to hit them

a moving target

 

while occasionally they fail

the evidence being their guts and fur

flattened on the pavement

but for the most part

they are somehow successful

dodging the wheels

and all the moving parts

 

after their mad scampers

they mock us with derisive chatter

ridiculing us in our rear view mirrors

I think they are just daredevils

who get a kick out of showing off

 

it's what Squirrels do

it's who they are

chance-taking individuals

who get a kick out of defying death

celebrating their victory

with a toothy smile

 

we the more intelligent

the more advanced

we who are so careful

we who prefer safety

we who have forgotten

the thrill of taking chances.