Chesapeake, VA 04/10/14
cutting through a small wood
on the way, from my car to work
the dead rabbit startled me
i almost stepped on it
(no longer a he or a she)
i was forced to pause
process what i was looking at
a huge brown eye stared back
as if contemplating me
as i contemplated it
low-slung in still submission
the body stretched out
in order to get a closer look at me
large head hugging the ground
relaxed with ears laid back
“but it’s too close to be relaxed”
making for an unusual sight
there was no sign of death
except for an unnerving calm
but it was in there nonetheless
having freshly arrived on the scene
i broke-off our gaze and moved on