Do Animals Commit Suicide?

I saw 14 roadkills on the way to work today. It made me wonder.

Do animals commit suicide?

Do deer get heavy hearted?

Are birdsongs cries of helpless pain?

Are some dogs mentally retarded?

 

When I see road kill I wonder

at purposes and intents.

Is every case an obvious matter

of human error and negligence?

 

Perhaps that flattened squirrel

had simply had enough.

Perhaps he jumped in front of that car

and cashed in all of his nuts.

 

Maybe the noble egret

who’s fragile skull was crushed

on a 50 mph windshield

wanted all the noises hushed.

 

Do raccoons have eating disorders?

Do turtles roll over and quit?

Do rabbits hop off of cliffs chattering

“I’ve had enough of this s**t?”

 

Do seagulls ever get fed up,

and take a final dive?

Do alligators have complexes?

Do animals commit suicide?

 

Author's Note

May the world knock at your door and offer you some free cookies.

Reviews

[nonbf3]

f*****g amazing poem. funny. great argument.

[Robert Francis Callaci]

Funny-funny -funny-you got a way with those words- You made sad subject -man's encroachment of animals habitat-Roads and highways to ride our shiny cars are a death trap to natures lovelies)-and put a unique twist on it- This is a delightful poem but it also accents (in my mind) the sad slaughter that man inflicts on all the species earth has to offer for the sake of progress- but I ramble on- loved this poem.



my warmest
bob

[Mason Vail]

I've asked these very questions on many a drive, staring down assorted squirrel, quail, and other critters that seem to spend the bulk of their precious last moments wrestling with the meaning of life instead of skipping easily out of the way as one would think instinctive...

[Lady leah]

Questions, questions o so many. animals are smart n when one gets killed here or there it does make you think was it fate or just meant to happen. for I wouldn't think animals just decide o I'm going to get hurt today stuff happens why not sure! but who's to say

[Frank F. Atanacio]

Poem makes you sometimes think when you see wild-life react to certain things-- yeah I liked it :)