ROCKY RACCOON’S PARTY

Rollicking, frolicking Rocky Raccoon,
Paid us a call by the light of the moon;
He wasn’t invited, just came anyway;
But at a lake cottage, what is there to say?
He brought lots of buddies while we were asleep;
They pranced and they danced ‘round the fresh compost heap:
The rinds of the melons were scattered about,
But the corn-on-the-cob was their favorite, no doubt.

Such fun they were having. Not ready to stop,
They raided the deck for cans of grape pop;
They swung in the hammock between the big oaks
And told raccoon stories and shaggy-dog jokes.
The Japanese beetles that Gtammy had trapped
Had all disappeared, as if they’d been zapped.
I cannot believe that those scamps really ate
Those yucky bronze bugs that all gardeners hate!

And then they discovered that they were in luck:
They climbed in the window of Grandpa’s new truck;
They unwound his tapes and they ate all his Tums,
Found his calculator and tried to do sums.
From bumper to bumper they left muddy tracks
In hopes they’d discover some more party snacks;
But darkness was changing to dawn’s early light
And they all decided to call it a night.

If they come again I hope I’m awake
To watch those masked bandits have fun at the lake.
If I left refreshments for them to find,
They might let me watch them---and not even mind..

-- Helen Ewoldsen -- 8-1-00