almost like it happened

i make up these stories
in my head sometimes
when i'm walking along
inspecting the ice on the sidewalk
things that i think could happen

a beat up sedan
something in the engine
out of tune
and the driver
not seeing not looking not thinking
coming down the alley
too fast to stop
until my dog is under its stupid wheel

i'm at my most eliquent
still holding the leash
saying, you just killed my dog

the driver says nothing
a whimper hangs in the air
they are as oblivious as ever

i go on
have saved up this rant
noticing every oblivious action
by our dumbass species
for at least the last week

you just killed my dog,
i'd break their stupor with this repetition
killed my one true friend

there'd be no room for anger in my voice
only sorrow that feels so real
that somewhere there's joy
and i'd have this opportunity
to change the way we all live

by now they'd offer money
and i'd refuse
saying my dog's life knows nothing
of the worthless stuff

this is what i want,
i'd say
for every time you leave your house
you'd remember you are one of many
and when you met anyone else
by the way you met their eye
you'd remind them too
you would know every car
had the potential to end life
every ugly thing you might say
can hurt someone listening
have a little compassion
and an once of imagination
how about that,
i'd say
for the life of my dog

and i'd scoop up my friend
struggling to carry him
walk away with him bleeding
feeling the last little bit of his warmth

and it's almost like it happened
somehow life feels better
breath in cold air and stop at a stop light
wait for the walk sign and hope a little
no one runs a red light