out of the woods

the animals
are getting bolder,
coming out
of the woods
as civilization
encroaches
on their land.
the other day
you saw a group
of them,
raccoons and foxes,
squirrels
and skunks,
all gathered
together smoking
cigars in lawn
chairs eating
the trash that
was set out the night
before.
sometimes a card
game
is going on.
you keep your distance,
as they dine
on what you threw
away,
sometimes they make
screeching
noises, or blow
bubbles
with their saliva
pretending
to be rabid.
that always gets
a laugh out
of the chipmunks.