The Exchange is the Weekly’s poetry corner, where a poem or piece of writing is presented with a prompt. Readers are welcome to respond to the prompt with original poems, and pieces may be featured in the next issue of the Weekly.
Squirrels by Chima “Naira” Ikoro
someone spoke to the squirrels and asked them what they wanted
when all the trees in their neighborhoods became foundation for pavement and new libraries.
they never asked to learn how to read or write,
instead, they asked to be taught how to wield a weapon.
The Squirrels have evolved, they grew thumbs so they could hold guns,
after all, so many people have come to power by force and not by learning the histories of people they planned to destroy anyway.
when the squirrels became anthropomorphic, the first emotion they felt was anger.
ask them what they really want, and one day they might say revenge.
one day, humans will look back and recall when squirrels would only conceal and carry
acorns in their mouths.
you took for granted the days when all they ever wanted was trees.
took advantage of their inability to hold anything aside from small pieces of food
and now they are holding a grudge,
asking questions with words you never taught them to say.
The Squirrels have sent an ultimatum to the people
say they spent years counting
and we are outnumbered.
say they never knew a thing about control until we showed them what being selfish gets you.
say “now, we have your neighborhoods surrounded,”
say “your houses are made of wood too,”
say “anything can be cut down as long as someone has
the power to.”
Prompt:
“What is constantly changing? What has always stayed the same?”
This could be a poem, journal entry, or a stream-of-consciousness piece. Submissions could be new or formerly written pieces.
Submissions can be sent to bit.ly/ssw-exchange or via email to chima.ikoro@southsideweekly.com
Featured below is a response to a previous prompt from a reader who is currently incarcerated.
Chima Ikoro is the Weekly’s Community Builder.