i didn't see it

flash of light against the coat
i didn't see it

bone crunching against metal
i didn't see it

legs splayed, spinning away across the asphalt
i didn't see it

tires squealing as the car came to a stop alongside
i didn't see it

shattered ribs heaving with labored breath
i didn't see it

leg twitching feebly against the unforgiving road
i didn't see it

waiting outside in the cold for cars to pass
i didn't see it

crossing the road with shaking steps
i didn't see it

standing over the carcass, its eyes glossed over
i didn't see it

apologizing again and again to ears that no longer heard
i didn't see it

touching its wet pelt, caked with dirt and blood
i didn't see it

lifting it first gently then with whatever strength i had
i didn't see it

feeling the skeleton splinters move under the skin as i pulled it
i didn't see it

resting its head against a plowed snowbank
i didn't see it

pool of red by my feet swirled with the snow melt
i didn't see it

opening the door and sitting down, breathing heavily
i didn't see it

blood and dirt on my hands, gripping the steering wheel
i didn't see it

that night, i closed my eyes and tried to sleep.
and do you know what happened then?
i saw it.
i can't stop seeing it.