Unbecoming Hosts

We view it as a small gesture of
mere courtesy from one member of
the vast animal kingdom to others
in these bitterly cold and windy
winter days and nights to set out
nuts and seeds and cubes of buttered
bread for the wildlife we share this
landscape with. Our pleasure at their
consequent presence is immense
and greatly satisfying. Until two small
black gadflies in the guise of spoiled
little dogs sense the presence of
challengers to the attention they are
accustomed to, to stand at the door
in the comfort of the home we share
berating the birds and squirrels that
arrive during daylight hours and the
raccoons and rabbits that haunt the
dark hours of night, barking threats
of entitled territoriality despite our
constant and useless orders to cease
and desist. Just as well the outdoor
creatures have grown accustomed to
raucous noise greeting their presence
settling down to eat their fill in the
process gratifying our sense of being.