That run, not away from
but under tires,
inevitable, I know it
reflected in that unblinking
flash of eyes and tail
white in my headlights
bone meets metal
in an unstoppable grind
to nothing
but blood on concrete, cooling
to a statistic
and meat for crows
Whenever, I see the nameless body of what was once a living being, ignored by multitudes of people in cars, on the side of a human throroughfare, I ask a blessing on it’s soul, now passed on to the ‘nother places and say outloud, “You mattered to me.” ~Gerean Pflug for The Animal Spirits
Yes. important to do so. Felt awful about this.
“but blood on concrete, cooling
to a statistic”
Ouch!
It was an ouch. Worse yet, when I gasped and said, “Oh shit, I just killed the Easter bunny.” Don;t ask me where that came from, but I made my son cry. So, I am both a murderer of rabbits AND mother of the year.
Sorry. Good poem. This is the you I admire. There is a poem in everything.;-)
Thanks, Alice. Yes, even in this kind of sadness, there is a poem to be found in it.
I find I like poems with deep roots, strong feelings and complex meanings. There’s room in the world for pale watercolors, sweet jelly beans and gentle breezes among water lilies. But I crave bold colors, rich darkness and light that sparkles. I like bitter spring greens and bones to crack with my teeth. (Metaphorically. I’m vegetarian.;-) )
Love the images you used here to express that, Alice.
ooer this was a bit dismal but brings to mind those that are killed on our roads and unfortunately their untimely deaths. We have the bunnies, the kangaroos, possums, wombats, echidnas and birds (just to mention a few).
Yes. They have no idea that a car is a threat, and are dazzled by the lights. Shame.
Poor creatures! Their genes are badly attuned to our new technologies!
It is sad; their innocence, confusion, and terror are almost palpable.
How sad.
I agree, C. Very sad.
😦 Striking an animal tears me apart.
First time this has happened to me. Felt terrible, and there was nothing I could do. He/she ran right under my tires.
One’s disgust another’s sustenance…
Exactly.