“the death of winter”
By Melisa Santana
an endless field of ice-cold snow lay at
your feet, and excited as ever, you ran, jumped,
frolicked like the puppy you once were. an expanse
seemingly infinite, created just for you – the only
happy moment you’d had this frigid winter, i’m
sure. soon, untouched powder transformed into
soggy mush beneath four eager paws, which quickly
morphed into black asphalt. two lanes, divided by
what your mind likely thought was more of this wintery
blessing. endless snow lay on the other side, and as you stood
in the middle of the road, pain washed over you. i never
wish to hear the sounds that escaped those innocent
teeth as you skittered forward and died crossing
the median. you left this world staring at a life
you’d never be able to touch, and the cruel bastard
responsible probably thought you were just another deer. your
body, with pale fur, is the evidence of your existence, and soon
it’ll be dragged away and disposed of. you will only exist
on paper, in a notebook in my bedroom. i’ll never forget you.
