This poem was modified from one written on November 29, 2022 for inclusion in the manuscript. It was not previously reviewed in class.

I Brake for Depressed Squirrels

Did no other squirrel have it so bad as the poor tormented creature

Choosing to dart out in front of my black Ford Focus as I drove

Down the city street, maybe a little distracted shuffling through

Poly-jam-orous tunes to find something that fit the day’s mood?

He made a calculated jump into a mild traffic stream with no concern

Or fear showing on his little squirrel face. He looked healthy

By oversized rodent standards and comparison to his kind, fat

With a long, fluffy gray tale, perfect for angrily beating against trees.

What in his life brought him to such a kamikaze move? I pondered.

Some other male moved in on his female, so she kicked him out

Of the beautiful nest that they shared. A bird of prey snatched up

His three adoring children as he and his mate watched helplessly.

My imagination raced with the possibilities from nut thieves to squirrel

Tactics for world domination, but his plans were foiled by a mind working

Fast. A human woman’s mind, quite capable of multi-tasking. So…

Whatever his issues, a life was saved because I brake for all squirrels,

Even the depressed and slightly maniacal ones.