I killed a possum tonight;
It snuck underneath my tire.
I felt its violent last breath
from the cab of my car.
I wonder if it knew I tried to avoid it.
Did it think I ended its life on purpose?
That it was nothing but vermin?
Did it realize that I would turn the radio all the way down
To sit in the silence,
In mourning,
Begging for a forgiveness that cannot be received?
Will it haunt my dreams?
I hope it turns into the angel and the devil
that live on my shoulder.
I wish for it to grip its claws into my skin;
Leave marks on the surface;
Draw blood; I deserve it.
Retribution.
Reminder.
Revenge.
I killed a possum tonight;
Was it a punishment for me or for them?
About the Creator
Ashley Lima
I think about writing more than I write, but call myself a writer as opposed to a thinker.
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Lifting the Curtain to a Successful Month
April has been a fantastic month for me in terms of writing endeavors. I’d like to share what’s been so great about it just as many other writers would do. Share successes. I’ve noticed other writers or artists have shared successes and when you just see the snippet of their success, it appears everything has been going right for them all along. But we haven’t seen behind the curtain, we haven’t seen their hard work and their failures and those months that were fraught with disappointment. In everyone’s case, it’s far from the truth. But for the outside observer it isn’t always apparent.
By Stephen Kramer Avitabile4 days ago in Writers
Comments (12)
Ugh, I know exactly how this feels. That moment of mourning, of incomprehensible sadness for the barely seen creature running as a shadow across the road before it's killed. You capture it perfectly.
A frozen moment capturing life, death, guilt, survival, and a whole myriad of complex emotions - brilliantly done Ashley!
🥹♥️This is so passionate 😉📝
That is so sad, but I know you didn't mean to. I can feel it in your words.
Sad. I have to avoid suicidal squirrels all the time. If I die young it will be because of that.... driving into a tree to save the life of a squirrel. Loved the philosophical nature of your poem 💙Anneliese
Poor possum 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 But yes, accidents happen 🥺
Sorry Ashley.. That is no fun at all ! Realistic recap! I’m really paranoid about hitting birds…
Oh no!!! That's overwhelming, I am sure. Like Donna said, there was nothigyu could do!!!😢💕
❤️ your empathy is admirable.
Sorry about that. My stepfather once ran over a skunk (odor lingered for days). Not so profound for us.
That’s such an awful feeling but there was nothing you could have done ❤️❤️
So sad. I’m glad you processed it through this great verse.