In the dark of night there’s a knocking

A barking dog and a banging sound stir me from sleep

Someone wants to come in

They want the warmth of my home

They want the safety and nourishment of this place

I can’t let them in

I’ve worked hard for this — It’s mine

I can’t let them take what belongs to my children

And yet, they won’t stop, they won’t go away

Yelling, throwing things at them only spurs them on

Finally, exhausted, they relent

I can finally rest for the night

But, the rest is short, for I know they’ll be back tonight

Today, I must trim the trees and remove the stepping stones

There are several things, all neglected by me,

that help them gain access to my hearth

I must prune and purge those things

So the raccoons will go away and find another place to dwell

And I have learned a new lesson,

that safety, nourishment and peace for me and my children

must be pruned every day.