Possum pondered his sad fate
after peering into a puddle
and seeing his muddled mien.
Feeling low he wrote a note
to Dog whose laughing face
with pendant tongue was on
the calendar that month.

Dog’s reply was prompt. You can
refuse to choose the blues, he said,
and not use them to excuse
self pity. You’re a possum after all,
eating ticks and gourmet garbage
and keeping birds and squirrels at bay.
Be proud!

Possum paused before he spoke.
I am a solemn possum, it is true.
I never knew I had a choice.
so I’ll rejoice and be the best
possible possum I can be,
although I know my face will never
grace the pages of a calendar.

Elaine Parker Akin
2020