Heartbreaking Lesson

I left the convenience store with a bag of cashews,
which I munched on my walk home.
I came upon a squirrel foraging
among the birds on the ground all alone.
I tossed a cashew this squirrel's way,
and the squirrel pounced on it right away.
I tossed it another and then another one,
and that's where this story takes a terrible turn,
teaching me one of the hardest lessons I ever learned.
Out from nowhere a hawk pounced on him.
The poor little squirrel didn't even have time to scream.
The hawk had mercifully killed it instantly.
My selfishness in wanting to get closer 
to this adorable little critter of nature,
caused its' unfortunate early departure.
Had I stayed out of the picture and not distracted him,
with my very delectable and very easy food source item,
the squirrel would have been much more aware of its surroundings,
and most likely would have noticed the hawk
long before the hawk had even seen him.
That day and the days after I spent in a deep depression.
This moment of clarity was a very heartbreaking lesson.
It's best to just leave Mother Nature alone to do her thing.
Bad things inevitably can and will happen with humans interfering,
no matter how good may be their intentions.

Something Seemingly Insignificant and Unexpected Changed My Life Contest
08/20/2016
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 9/2/2016 8:14:00 PM
SillyBilly, congrats on your placement :)-luloo
Login to Reply
Date: 9/1/2016 8:12:00 AM
Such a sad event and one that stays with you! Nice writing.
Login to Reply
Date: 9/1/2016 7:27:00 AM
Congrats for your placement, with this sad and emotional piece...
Login to Reply
Date: 8/30/2016 3:27:00 AM
This is sad of course, but beautifully written. Congratulations on your win, Kai. PS: what colour are the squirrels in your neck of the woods?
Login to Reply
Thekidster Avatar
Billy Thekidster
Date: 8/31/2016 3:56:00 PM
The common gray squirrel rules here. Now and then you'll see a pitch black one or a completely white one but they are just mutations of the common gray squirrel and are the same specie. Thanks for your comment Kai
Date: 8/29/2016 6:35:00 PM
Oh dear, Billy, nature can often be cruel. What seems so innocent at the time, is just fate turned wrong. I hope it doesn't not continue to weigh on your mind. What a good way to express your compassion. :)
Login to Reply
Thekidster Avatar
Billy Thekidster
Date: 8/31/2016 3:58:00 PM
Thanks Carrie, always nice hearing from you.
Date: 8/29/2016 1:24:00 PM
I agree that humans should just let nature be.Congrats on your placement Billy!
Login to Reply
Thekidster Avatar
Billy Thekidster
Date: 8/31/2016 3:58:00 PM
Thank You Sara.
Date: 8/29/2016 1:04:00 PM
Congratulations, Billy! You placed 4 out of 100!
Login to Reply
Thekidster Avatar
Billy Thekidster
Date: 8/31/2016 3:51:00 PM
All I can say is "WoW, Thank You & I'm Honored.
Date: 8/19/2016 3:03:00 PM
a sad but well-told story. don't beat yourself up over it, though - that hawk may have gotten him anyway. still, you've made a good point...
Login to Reply
Date: 8/19/2016 11:30:00 AM
A hard lesson to learn Billy - such an innocent action can have unforeseen consequences:-( hugs Jan xx
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter