If I am repaired, can we meet again for the first time, in all of the places I have feared to go, and then, again, in all of the places I will have forgotten, if I am repaired?




SC




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Here is the desk drawer in which all of my odds and ends are kept, tidbits that would otherwise never see the light of day.











Wednesday, May 21, 2014

A Brief Salvation


The baby hare lay on its side, still in the palm of his hand. He looked for cuts, blood, but other than a nick on its foot, it appeared unharmed. The dog was gentle that way. Cupped in his palm, he pressed his finger against its tiny chest, feeling for a heartbeat. Nothing. That didn’t surprise him though, dulled by work, his fingertips  could hardly register his own pulse. He turned the hare over, stroked the tiny white star on its forehead. It nuzzled into the warmth of his palm, alive. He knew better than to get his hopes up. It was too young. A week old, maybe two. Its eyes had yet to open. Put it in a box and it would be cold by morning, dead. Done it dozens of times as a boy. They just don’t survive. But he couldn’t just give it back to the dog. Couldn’t. He covered the little rabbit with his free hand and headed toward the house, the dog following in jumps and circles, anxious to have its find returned. He’d have to get some milk.



                                      

14 comments:

  1. rabbits are born naked and blind ... hares are born furry and can see ... rightaway ... mr a hare, but can't see ... yet ... just returned from my Europe trip ... jet lagged to oblivion at the moment ... why am i writing this ... have no idea ... tomorrow will be a better day, right? Love, cat.

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    1. He was a bit pointy in the nose, like a hare. Hope you had a wonderful trip.

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  2. Touching and poignant. I brought home a pigeon recently that was being attacked by a crow. Couldn't watch the brutal pecks. The pigeon had a broken wing. I knew it would be dead by morning too but had to give it a more peaceful passing.

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  3. Why is it, those beautiful babies never pull through.
    Oliver cat brought home a half-grown rabbit yesterday, sadly already half-eaten, I could have wacked him.
    ~Jo

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  4. Poor rabbit... you know you can't do anything for them other than give them a warm dry place in which to pass...

    ~shoes~

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  5. Just a quick hello in passing, Steven. Hope all's well!

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  6. Hey Buddy, I'm thinking like Helena... I hope all's well too.

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  7. Miss your storytelling dear friend.~
    Hope all is well, and you are just busy with life...
    ~Jo

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  8. Baby rabbit still on its side, I guess, ever since May21,2014 ... o my, not much hope of resurrecting that one ... RIP

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  9. how do we measure duration? brief is what we have and often it is bounty.

    yes, you are a beautiful writer. where are you? really?

    (for a second there i thought we were going to see a photo of YOUR sideburns. that's not you in the next post, right?)

    xo
    erin

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    1. erin... should the question not be why? celebrate the moment. no?

      thank you. i don't know where i am right now. really.

      i didn't think to take a picture until after the problem was fixed. no, that is not me in the next post photo... that is moe, from the three stooges. i am the photograph above, in the 'about me' section.

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