A silent prayer
to the dead thing-
on the side of the road
Avert your eyes
but pay your respects
indistinguishable
          deformed
                   and once breathing
air
Empty lungs
once full of life
scampering/skittering
across the paved path
(bushy tailed and bright eyed
some may even say)

Now.
Avert your eyes and look away
as you say a silent prayer
to the dearly departed
(vermin)
on the side of the road