I can’t count the number of times I have pulled over to find
Lost dogs, mangled bodies in wrecked vehicles, injured wildlife
So many that when I arrive home covered in someone else’s blood, my family doesn’t question it
Once it was a hawk
Swooped down to pluck some slithering meal off pavement
Sitting there helpless, entangled by it;
Mouth clenched above talons
I swatted at the snake until it unwound from the bird, after me
She shook herself off
I stood in front of her to see what she needed
She spread her wings and the span appeared larger than my height
I breathed quiet and after a few moments she took off
A woman sat in her car, parked and staring
As I passed she yelled, “Are you an angel?”
Of course not; I’m only a nurse