Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » Lack of Concern For Life

Lack of Concern For Life

I drive slowly through a winding lane Where white-tailed deer are often seen I see, sadly, carcasses of creatures slain. I am careful driving the fencerows between Respecting the rights of the critters here Where white-tailed deer are often seen. Stopping to let a raccoon wander clear And two squirrels who were in the path Respecting the rights of the critters here. I saw the remains of a sordid bloodbath A car had slammed into a handsome buck And two squirrels who were in the path. I wondered why the driver it had struck Who could not spare an innocent deer’s life A car had slammed into a handsome buck. When lack of concern for life seems rife I drive slowly through a winding lane Who could not spare an innocent deer’s life, I see, sadly, carcasses of creatures slain. written April 26, 2022

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

Bill Baker

Date: 4/30/2022 2:53:00 PM

I agree with Caren's comment below, they can really surprise you. Most roads that have a lot of deer crossings, mark them with warning signs. Sometimes we just get in too big of a hurry to be humane. Thanks for sharing your poetry with us, Bill

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/30/2022 5:01:00 PM

Thank you, Bill. I appreciate you.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 4/28/2022 2:25:00 AM

I hit four deer in one year and I love deer. They jump out so fast - one time I saw a solid wall of deer in front of my car in an instant. They have no fear of cars. That is the problem! I had 8 deer whistles on my car at the time. Also I call deer, she is my power animal.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/28/2022 7:56:00 AM

Wow, I would have been devastated. It is true that they can appear out of nowhere, but when I'm in a wooded area I try to be extra careful and drive slower.

Jeff Kyser

Date: 4/26/2022 10:58:00 AM

Deer get some pretty crazy ideas around here - not at all uncommon for a deer to plow into the side of a car on a country road - presumably crashing out of the woods, trying to beat the car, and missing. Yeah, I brake for squirrels, personally!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/26/2022 11:33:00 AM

As you can probably tell from the poem, I believe all life is sacred, so I hurt when I see animals, many deliberately, killed because a driver couldn't slow down long enough for them to get across. Hey, I hate to see a tree cut down. I'm a softee!

Tom Cunningham

Date: 4/26/2022 10:52:00 AM

Always sad to see wild animals killed on the roads, speed is a big factor in roadkill. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/26/2022 11:33:00 AM

I think so, Tom. And I always keep in mind it was their natural trail long before it was paved over for us.