MOONLIGHT BANDITS

From my shadow spot I watched the masked marauder

from the stately old oak climb slowly down

then paused, waiting, checking in all directions;

he sniffed the air, waited and looked around

then meandered through my garden to my feeders

leaving his hand like footprints on the ground.

He moved among the lilies and the tulips

and poked around beneath the garden bench

pausing now and then to check directions,

seeking out his supper as he went.

He moved from one feeder to the other

leaving behind strewn, scattered evidence

that a thief had come by night, a moonlight bandit

stealing seeds, bread and suet meant for the birds.

Then came a friend exchanging chit and chatter,

though I couldn’t understand one word.

It seems to me the two were quite congenial,

from the conversation that I heard,

as they dumped all my feeders and they feasted

on scraps of bread, fruit, doughnuts and some cake.

It is fun to watch by night these moonlight bandits

but oh what a mess these two can make.

It seems they think I’ve set for them a banquet

in my feeders meant to feed the birds

where by night I have to deal with masked marauders

and by day birds share with chipmunks and the squirrels.

Seems day and night there’s someone at my feeders.

Of dinner guest it seems there is no end,

but I enjoy their company and antics,

these visits from my country critter friends.

He may think I’m unaware of his marauding,

and he hides behind a mask when he’s around

but I know who he is, he cannot fool me,

I recognize his hand prints on the ground

and would know him anywhere and in a minute

though he only prowls by moonlight.

I know them and they’re welcome to their supper,

this pair of masked bandits of the night.

Almost every night these two come prowling,

come scavenging for treats that they can eat,

dump my feeders, leave a mess then move on;

that seems to be the nature of the beast

but I don’t really mind since I enjoy them.

These marauders are quite comical delight

as I sit quiet, watching in the shadows

the antics of these bandits of the night.

Tomorrow, when the sun breaks on the morning

it will be my job to clean up last night’s mess,

right my feeders, fill them for the others,

the arrival of my daytime dinner guest.

It seems my night time guest have left sufficient

seeds, bits of fruit and cookies, cakes and crumbs

to pacify the early birds arriving

until I get out there to get things done.

Both day and night I get to enjoy them,

these animals I share this good earth with;

and it seems to me to be sufficient,

plenty for all, a place we all can live.

I rather chuckle at these moonlight bandits

who sneak into my yard only by night

scavenging for treats they think they’re stealing

but I put it there and it really is all right

that they should take whatever is their liking.

I really do not mind one little bit

because I enjoy watching these other creatures,

the birds and even the moonlight bandits.