During Covid by Sherman Alexie
In large numbers, the wild
rabbits arrived in our
neighborhood and have
multiplied. I see one or two
every time that I exit
our home. Once, on a walk,
my wife and I found
a baby rabbit, incompetently
hidden or abandoned
or perhaps its mother
had been taken by a serial-
killer cat—every cat
is a serial killer. There
was nothing we could do
for that baby. Animal
rescue wouldn't come
for one baby barely bigger
than a thumb and we
didn't have the time
or expertise necessary
to care for it. And, frankly,
we didn't have enough
compassion—some might
call it codependence.
There are dozens
of wild rabbits
in the neighborhood,
maybe hundreds. One
death wasn't a threat
to any population.
The next day, I walked
by the place where
we'd seen that baby.
It was gone, taken away
by something. I sighed.
I said a little prayer
for that poor thing
and then went about
the rest of my day.
But, four years later,
I still think about that
baby. It remains a part
of my life as a reminder
of the many times when
I've made cold decisions
in this cold world—
of the many times when
each of us choose
cruelty over kindness
and curse instead of bless.
Sherman Alexie
our rabbits cohabitate with us, beneath our deck; their offspring are always safe
and well fed; nonetheless, si understand....
