Happy Poem

By Natasha Bredle

The roadkill begged me to write a poem.
I couldn’t shake my head, but neither 
could I bow it, my brow drawn like the forest seam
gazing quietly upon the road cutting through it as
deep as a butcher’s knife. I wanted to write a happy
poem for once, but only as much as the woods
wanted one less casualty to mourn. My sad poems
usually become an apology, and the woods
deserved at least one I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry.
Sunlight shimmered through foliage like dewdrops
searching for the ocean. It was an odd moment 
to remember how good life is. An odd 
moment to realize your heart beats easier
when you look the graveyard in the face
and don’t hold your breath. I never thought
I would leave behind the remnant 
of a fallen creature without tears pricking my eyes.
I never thought the sight of beauty succumbing to
decay would leave me thinking only about how so
much happiness and sadness can be allowed to
exist in a day.

Natasha Bredle is a young writer based in Ohio. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Madrigal, Polyphony Lit, and The Lumiere Review. She has received accolades from the Bennington College Young Writers Awards as well the Adroit Prizes. In addition to poetry and short fiction, she has a passion for longer works and is currently drafting a young adult novel.