raccoons

i see this pack, this
tiny pack of rabid
raccoons in the woods,
babies, pups, whatever
they might be called
at that early stage,
and i slow down to get
a better look at them on
the side of the bike path.
they are up to something.
all of them in a circle
hissing like witches at
whatever they might
be eating or discussing
with great fervor.
they are jet black with
rings of brilliant white.
i can see their jabbering
tongues and sharp teeth
clicking against their
sharpened stiletto nails.
i don't stop for long,
as all of them, and i do
mean all of them turn to
look at me with their
maddening black eyes
and give me the look and
it's not the look of love