A small heap of tattered stiff fur lays on the side of the road
Scraps of a dried hide stretched over a tangle of broken bones does erode
Flies long departed, only holes where maggots have been
Even the smell has left the vacant corpse and now empty skin
In a headlight a candle extinguished once a spark now free of strife
Just cold tattered fur where once resided a sort, warm life
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Offline) - Published: May 21st, 2026 04:15
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 69
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange, Lorenz
- In collections: Death, Life.
Offline)
Comments12
an excellent description
Thanks Norman I deeply appreciate your review and comment of support
most welcome
That's one way to make leather, the weather tanning what metaphorically would be a bedraggled soul after years of exposure and trampling over. 🙏🕊️
Thanks so much Cryptic for the read and most interesting view that indeed fits so well the intent of the poem taking it a step further. It is most appreciated my dear friend
Oh, happy not to have misread it. A truly fun read. 🙏🕊️
This is quite a poem.Many layers here. At first it is a tale of an animal killed on the road.But that animal had the spark of life that was taken away,We all have that feeling of dread.I found this very deep and thoughtful.Made me think
Thank you David for your read and deeply thought out comment yes you are right there are layers here just as there are layers from skin to organs and bone and even the essence of life within. Your words are most important to me and highly valued
A bit too morbid and graphic for me to read early in the morning, but your poem serves a purpose. Your poem serves to remind readers of life's fragility and death's inevitability, urging contemplation of mortality and the respect owed to all living beings, even in their demise.
Thank you Friendship for your review and insightful comment. Yes so true even in death there is respect due. I deeply appreciate your understanding of the piece.
You're so welcome, my friend
What we succumb to after years of disappointments, dismissals. Being ignored, isolated can all bring us to this lifeless end over time and in an instant.
Thank you Katie for your read and words of support they are most important to me
Animals don't stand a chance do they.
Strangely enough, a lot of people actively search out roadkill now for food.
I suppose it beats going to the supermarket.
Thank you Paul for the review and comment. Sad for the animal and sad for those that have to rely on them for food.
Soren, this moved me deeply. The poem never tries to romanticize death, yet lines like “In a headlight a candle extinguished” suddenly turn this roadside remains into something profoundly human and mournful. The dried hide, the emptied skin, the vanished smell…all of it quietly reminds us how fragile warmth and life really are. Strong, haunting write, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thank you so much Tristan for your read and kind words they are cherished. Yes it is fragile and few notice any losses.
There are echoes of a generation of cursed poets ...
Indeed there are my friend. Thank you for the read and comment Lorenz
I best not serve it up for dinner to KP. Oops!
Thanks Orchi. That one is past the expiration date and it is best if it is still warm.
Just watched an episode of 'The X Files' where bodies were covered in Maggots. Then read this. That's me not sleeping tonight. 😗
Fine discriptive writing here.
Thanks so much for the read and comment Kevin it is deeply appreciated and valued
Loved this, very well done
Thank you Anna for your read and kind comment it is most valued
that is the stark truth of life - and you have shown this very well
Thanks so much Nafisa I deeply appreciate your read and comment my friend
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