April 2018
Perry S. Nicholas
perrynicholas53@aol.com​
I am a Professor of English at Erie Community College North in Buffalo, N.Y.  I have 5 books, 4 chapbooks, and 1 CD of poetry. I am married to Maria Sebastian, a well-known singer/songwriter, and we perform our poetry and music together at many venues in the WNY area. For more information please visit my website: www.perrynicholas.com

​MY LITTLE SQUIRREL
Outside a marathon poetry reading
 
My friend, the little squirrel
won’t tolerate 2 minutes growing to 4,
10 to 20, 20 to 40. He won’t stand still
for it long enough, scurries away.
 
Giving what he can, carrying
all the sounds he can manage,
he waits patiently until an acorn drops,
picks it up proudly in his hands.
 
No problem stopping near me,
but then others get too close,
invade his space, abusing
their allotted time in nature.  
 
When you’re told 2-3 minutes
at the podium, remember how the squirrel
works, lives humbly, handles
his art, and shuffles on, my friend. 
©2018 Perry S. Nicholas
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