by Terry Littlefield
I killed a Squirrel today.
I didnt mean to,
It just got in the way.
I was kind of day dreaming,
When it ran out from the brush,
And stopped, and stared my way.
I went back and buried the Squirrel,
It deserved no less.
Found some soft dirt and laid it to rest.
I was thinking about what had happened,
And was driving slow.
Thinking about a Squirrel
I had killed not long ago.
Sigh, Sorrow,
I almost killed a little boy today.
He ran out into the street
Not looking my way
In front of my car just two feet away.
The boy had no clue
How close was
To joining that Squirrel, laid to rest.
His parents knew though
How close he was.
Thankful I stopped where I did.
In those few seconds I felt fear, then anger
At parents who would let their child run free
Then relief that the child was safe
Then understanding for parents who also felt
Fear, anger, relief, in those same few seconds.
I killed a Squirrel today
I didnt mean to,
It just got in the way.
A Squirrel gave up life today.
Tomorrow a little boy will play.