One cold and dreary night when icy winds cut like a knife,
A tiny raccoon babe was brought to me to save her life.
It had now been several days since she’d been found and left outside.
The people thought the mother coon would come, but she had died.
And now, with three days passing, I had to wage a fearful fight,
For to reverse the cold and hunger I would tend to her all night.

Warmed blankets wrapped around her tiny body brought her to,
And as I held her tight against me, it was all there was to do.
Two endless hours passed at a crawl, and her temperature was good.
I gave her fluids that I’d warmed as slowly as I could.
So fearful that she would soon fail from her terrible plight,
I slept holding her against me all through the dreaded night

For several days, the war was waged to save this tiny one
And the morning came, I saw within her eyes that we had won.
The eager look for bottle, the grasping little hand,
The loving gaze upon her face was more than I could stand.
There may be world events which seem of great concern to all,
But I was there to save this life, however great or small.

Kindness is the essence of a life with value shared,
For it matters not be they beggar or king, as long as you have cared.
Though mighty eagle, elephant, and lion catch the eye,
It is the kindest heart that hurts to hear a mousie cry.
And, raccoon babe, though you be small, your life is valued by me.
I only wish that through my eyes, the others, too, might see.

by: Carol Hardee