chipmunk tender_square he says i wasn’t the one responsible: “we would’ve felt it in the car, trust me.” but what if such a soft, small body made no discernible impact under wheel of metal beast? the chipmunk was lying in the middle of the street, in front of our driveway; “i have to see it,” i resolved. i studied the scene, the splay of angle that may have resulted from a reverse and roll downhill, crushing a skeleton no bigger than my hand, a fleeting life the camera couldn’t catch. and the chipmunk looked like a cartoon drawing of death with x’s where the eyes used to be. a turbulent end: entrails scattered, a red rope of intestine, a green bean of belly; everything that was inside violently shoved outside. i turned my head and cried. above me, a blue jay wouldn’t stop screaming. 220522 ... raze you stood in the grey light of my bedroom doorway, eyeing me with what seemed to be concern. then you turned and ran away. i woke a moment later, choking on my own throat. would i have died if you hadn't warned me without making a sound? or did the sight of your sad, small face steer me from the great gift of sleep without end? 230621 what's it to you? who go blather from