Elegy for Dead Rat in Church Parking Lot
limping with last breath behind the truck’s tire
away from the crows
each peck, pluck, and pick reveals red stringy sinew
sliding across the concrete
only one paw is needed for its little body to get to safety
my children scream and gather around the dying rat
or mouse but no one seems to care about
the distinction
the crow flies away
too many onlookers
we get closer
palpitating breaths in between its breast
eyes fully open
aware
not one of us can help it
we let the truck know there is a rat underneath
let's go finish lunch