I Was Not Afraid

I was reasonable.

Level-headed.

Logical.

Even if the crow had abandoned its prize,

and even if I’d been able

to scoop up the writhing ball of fur

using a Tupperware container,

I probab;y couldn’t have saved it

and, even if it survived,

it would probably have bitten me

and I don’t know if I have all my shots.

And that proves

I was not afraid.

I Saw It Happen

I saw it happen.

She was-

she was not.

What was left

went limp

stiff

limp.

All the latex gloves

and euphemisms

couldn’t mask it.

The Right Moment

Father Oswald was sermonising

When the inspiration struck.

I was afraid

it was not the right moment

to grab a hymnal

and scratch verses

on the flyleaf

then tear it out

and shove it in my pocket.

But perhaps

it was

the right moment.