.
She puts food
outside her door
for the cats
and raccoons
and the Scrub Jays –
.
and for all
who leave soft
wild footprints
in the frost.
.
.
(c) 2019 Betty Hayes Albright
.
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A beautiful poem, Betty. Watch those Jays and Raccoons, though. They can be little rascals. 🙂
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Thanks, Renee! Yes, rascals indeed. 😆
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The trouble is it is a kind of cargo cult — I started off with two pigeons and I now have a an entire nation of different seed-eaters turning up.
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Lol… birds are intelligent creatures – they know a softhearted soul when they see one. 😊
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I love seeing the cats, but I could do without the raccoons digging up all my plants. (K)
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Haven’t had that problem with the raccoon here (yet). All she does is wash her dirty paws in the water bowl and turn the empty food bowl upside down when she’s done. No tip. 🙂
(My neighbors and I are mostly concerned with feeding the feral cats in our neighborhood. The raccoons and jays get their leftovers. Ah well…. 😏 )
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I think the raccoons here are too accustomed to taking from humans rather than living on their own. It’s a huge problem. They are like XL rats.
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Yes, that becomes a problem when they forget how to forage for their food. Around here, humans have encroached on their territory and the woods and meadows are gone. Don’t know what the answer is. (I feel bad for the deer too.)
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Deer too. They are also considered pests.
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Oh, deer
I fear
that over here
it’s we who are the pest.
On the other hand I could do without slugs, aphids, and mosquitoes! 🙂
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especially mosquitoes!
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Hopefully all the footprints are small. 🙂
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So far they have been. 😊
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Really beautiful.
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Thanks, Nico!
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😊
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Sweet – love it, Betty.
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Thank you, Eliza. ❤️
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Lovely. It reveals a kind and thoughtful soul.
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Glad you liked this, Ben. When we moved here three years ago, two of my neighbors were already taking care of the feral cats and it’s been a pleasure to join them. Along with feeding, we provide insulated boxes with self-warming pads for winter. The raccoons and birds benefit indirectly. 🙂
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If I come back as a cat I’ll know where to turn up. 😉
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😆 😄
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Charming! I don’t get many raccoons and scrub jays where I live but I can always keep trying.
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Thank you! The scrub jays are rather aggressive and bossy…. I’m hoping to put out bird feeders this winter to maybe attract more appreciative birds. 🙂
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such kind
gestures 🙂
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Good to hear from you, David. 🙂
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lovely!~
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Thank you, Rose. 🙂
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Such a lovely little poem reminding us of the beauty of kindness. Something the world most definitely needs more of.
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Thanks, Lana – I agree about the need for more kindness in this world. 🙂
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Nature and ourselves. I think some of our own soul-footprints are left with theirs. x
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That’s a beautiful thought, Val! 💗
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She – who quietly leaves the trail strewn with useful bits for those who make the soft, wild footprints. Utterly enchanting image – thank you, Bette.
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Thank you so much, Sharon!
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Wonderful to have discovered your writing today! What a lucky day.
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Thank you so much for such kind words! 🙂
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