'Ode To The Turtle I Squashed In The Road'

While driving home from work recently, I ran over a turtle. I know it's not a big deal, but I STILL felt bad about running over that little guy. So, okay... I'm a bit of a softy.

I mean, there he was just minding his own business - trying his best to hurry across the interstate - when I came along and cruelly ruined his entire day…for good! And what about those he left behind? After the dreadful act, I couldn’t help to then think of the devastating effect my carelessness would have on the rest of his family members – how the little ones were probably patiently waiting for his return.

So anyway, for the past few days I’ve continued to scour the location of where my terrible act occurred, maybe in hopes to give one last bit of apology – or maybe even way a final prayer of sorts. However, no matter of how hard I looked, I never saw any remains of the little guy – not even a chalk outline made by a kind of turtle police.

Well, it was after my most recent search when I decided the only fitting way to maybe respect the memory of him one last time, would be to write something…something like an ode.

And so, folks, I now present to you ‘Ode To The Turtle I Squashed In The Road’.     

Ode to the turtle I squashed in the road.

I'm sure you were gentle, but you moved sorta slow.

But I pen out this homage to you, friend or foe.

This ode to you, turtle, that I squashed in the road.

Where were you going by not thinking twice?

Not thinking about family; but only of time?

Some big promotion, or other news to share?

That made you try crossing such dangerous fare.

Of course, little turtle, I am totally to blame.

To do something different to give you a save.

A weave to the right; or just watching my speed

Could have kept you, sweet turtle, from being plastered by me

So who is the family member to send,

This ode of remembrance, 'bout you, my small friend?

Returned with a favor, if you'd be ever so kind;

To stop shooting the finger every time I drive by.

OMG! Could you imagine if it were a dog, cat, or something else that I ran over – and not a small turtle? I could just see myself trying to address THAT guilt by erecting some kind of statue!