Midnight Encounter

This is a true story- no names have been changed to protect the idiot........

Nb- * - a car bonnet is a hood in the United states.
      ** - censored.

On my way back from the pub
(since real ale is my passion)
slowly wending my way home
in a wibbly-wobbly fashion
in the road sat something small-
I almost passed it by,
camouflaged in darkness
by a cloudy moonless sky.
I could tell it was a Hedgehog
simply by it's silhouette,
and if it didn't move real soon
would get squashed flat, I'll bet.
Just then a hundred yards away
a pair of lights appeared
heading our way at a pace
exactly as I'd feared.
Instinct kicked in, and out I leapt
to the middle of the road
waving my arms frantically as
I switched to 'Hero' mode.
He hit the brakes just feet away
and wound his window down
"get out the way, you Prat!" he yelled
but I just pointed down, and said
"Hedgehog!!" (which he couldn't see,
his bonnet* was in the way),
"Just hang on while I shift it, mate"
was all that I could say.
So, bending down to rescue it
still sat between my feet
my heart sank as I focussed in
then finally missed a beat.
The Hedgehog I had risked my life
to save it by removing
was, in fact, from off a washing machine
a piece of rubber tubing.
Not wishing too look foolish
I just hid it with my sleeves
and slowly walked off to the kerb,
the car began to leave.
Angrily into the air I kicked the pipe before me,
a big mistake- in his rear view mirror
the car driver he saw me,
and hit the brakes, then jumped out yelling
( I remember, although quite plastered)
"That's cruelty to an animal! Come here, you heartless person**  !
In hot pursuit back up the road 
he came- the chase was on,
I wasn't going to hang about, in seconds I was gone,
vaulting over garden walls and dodging through the gates
then out of breath I hid myself, till he had gone, I'd wait.
Mud splattered with my trousers torn I reached home, panic over,
the ordeal I'd just been through was a great way to get sober.
So next time wildlife is in peril, maybe I won't hurry,
I'll carry on and stagger home-
let Mother Nature worry.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Christian Avatar
June 12, 2015 at 8:43 AM
Well you did the right thing at the time because it could of been a hedge hog of something
Wigley Avatar
June 12, 2015 at 10:01 AM
Precisely why I risked life and limb, Diane. Thanks for dropping by. Viv x
Beesley Avatar
April 8, 2015 at 7:59 PM
I've had many nights of drunken self-destruction
Wigley Avatar
April 9, 2015 at 12:10 AM
A rite of passage, Anthony. Thanks for dropping by. Regards, Viv
Wigley Avatar
April 6, 2015 at 10:57 PM
G'day, Lindsay, thanks for dropping by. Back in those days my night vision was through beer goggles, but nowadays I always take my reading glasses. Regards, Viv
Laurie Avatar
April 6, 2015 at 6:37 PM
Hey Viv, what a yarn... Crikey, I just love this type of yarn. It reminds me of a day when a bloke who obviously needed glasses was tickling a dog turd thinking it was a gecko. I really got a kick out of your poem Viv - Lindsay
Wigley Avatar
April 6, 2015 at 10:58 PM
G'day, Lindsay, thanks for dropping by. Back in those days my night vision was through beer goggles, but nowadays I always take my reading glasses. Regards, Viv
Pinet Avatar
April 6, 2015 at 9:07 AM
This jerks at our funny bone in innocent fun. The imagery and story line presented is humorous and strikes a cord of familiarity in our collective memories and hearts. The flow is good and the reader can chuckle at the commonality of the experience. Emile. #7
Wigley Avatar
April 6, 2015 at 9:48 AM
Thanks for dropping by and commenting, Emile. Regards, Viv
Ward Avatar
April 6, 2015 at 2:38 AM
Oh! What a tale! Julia, xx
Wigley Avatar
April 6, 2015 at 4:47 AM
I must admit I was quite sheepish about it at the time, but have dined out handsomely regaling friends and relatives with my adventure. Viv x
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