To The Animal Not Roadkill

For the poodle in Corpus Christi,

I feel awful, still.

And for the gliding roadrunner

outside Santa Fe, my regret has not ebbed.

‍ ‍* * * * * * *

You survived 

by a hair, a nose, a foot, for what it matters—a mile.

Because I bought organic half & half and veggie meatloaf.

Not because I bought them.

Because I took my own plastic bags, recycle.

Not.

If I had braked.

Because I braked.

Because at a propitious moment in history

I swerved.

Because of El Nino, La Nina,

a ripple from another famine in Africa.

If the Moon had been in Leo . . .

If that night had no moon.

Your death couldn’t have been closer, and more likely.

I toast your health, continued good fortune.

Now knowing

you’ve received the ultimate reprieve

how will you live?