(Poem 352 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

The monthly meeting
of the forest animals
started as a racoon
tea party, but soon grew
to include mice, a rabbit,
a few squirrels, and an
occasional deer or two.

They haven’t changed
the name from the initial
Racoon Tea Party title,
but will probably vote
next time on a new event
headline that more
adequately captures
their essential makeup.

Because, really, it’s not
even about the tea, either.
The tea is a nice incidental
part of every gathering,
of course, but the real
meat of the assembly
is stimulating discussion
of all matters consequential.

Whether it be politics,
religion, philosophy, science
the nature of reality, love,
literature, finance, history,
the arts, alchemy, astronomy,
anthropology, languages,
or artificial intelligence,
the conversation is deep.

Albert racoon always steers
the discussion to matters
economical, which irritates
Edward racoon to no end.
And Amos squirrel tends to
interrupt Silas rabbit anytime
he brings up weather patterns.
Olivia squirrel snorts disagreement.

Freda racoon can never get
a word in edgewise because
Agnes racoon prattles on about
the pharmaceutical industry
at every opportunity, and loudly,
but, all in all, they have a roaring
good time every month around dusk
at their meeting of the minds.

@Home Studio – 352nd poem of the year

Runner ups for the Racoon Tea Party photos to accompany my poem: