Ode to a Dead Skunk
Reflecting on roadkill.7 total reviews
Comment from justjo66
Oh, this is just delightful. No wonder you
won 1st place. I just love it. So, many
times I have seen dead skunks on the road (and
other critters) and wondered the same thing.
I love all animals and my heart goes out to them but
then in the case of the skunk (like you) ;O) I do not
like that odor. :o)
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2011
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Oh, this is just delightful. No wonder you
won 1st place. I just love it. So, many
times I have seen dead skunks on the road (and
other critters) and wondered the same thing.
I love all animals and my heart goes out to them but
then in the case of the skunk (like you) ;O) I do not
like that odor. :o)
Comment Written 14-Dec-2011
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2011
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Thank you, thank you, justjo66, for those nice words and those six stars. (Those are pretty hard to come by!) Now retired, I wrote the poem when a co-worker & I passed a dead skunk on the highway on our way to work at Wright-Patterson AFB. You might say it sort of 'followed' us to work that day!
Comment from Cassie Needham
Very funny and cute. My kids moan whenever we smell a dead skunk while driving. I am going to show them this poem and tell them to have more respect! Poor little skunk! The last line is the clincher!!!
reply by the author on 29-Aug-2011
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Very funny and cute. My kids moan whenever we smell a dead skunk while driving. I am going to show them this poem and tell them to have more respect! Poor little skunk! The last line is the clincher!!!
Comment Written 28-Aug-2011
reply by the author on 29-Aug-2011
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Thank you, Needham, for your review and kind words. Believe it or not, I actually did write this poem when I got to the office one morning after passing a dead (and deadly) skunk on the way there. I guess it's safe to tell this now, since I've since retired and my boss can't fire me for writing poetry on the job. Ha! I must admit, though, that I would never have imagined at that time that it would later win a contest, so I'm thrilled!
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Congratulations on winning!
Comment from seashellrees4
All I can say is lol, lol,lol.
Alas, poor skunk,
I smelled him too,
Tears welled in my eyes
And my face turned blue!
Cute poem
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2011
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All I can say is lol, lol,lol.
Alas, poor skunk,
I smelled him too,
Tears welled in my eyes
And my face turned blue!
Cute poem
Comment Written 28-Aug-2011
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2011
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Thank you for your review. (Yes, they do have a way of lingering with you, don't they?)
Comment from healfromwithin
This was definately a different type of ode.
I wasn't sure if you were going for humor or empathy. The subject was sad, yet you twisted the last line to appear funny.
I thought that the first 3 stanzas were your better ones.
These lines read a bit choppy:
a mommy, dad, respected
skunk in your community.
You're someone's child or sibling.
Or both. Perhaps a mate
I thought that "R.I.P." should have been spelled out.
The all-caps in the last line makes this more about you than the ode subject.
All-in-all, a good effort.
reply by the author on 29-Aug-2011
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This was definately a different type of ode.
I wasn't sure if you were going for humor or empathy. The subject was sad, yet you twisted the last line to appear funny.
I thought that the first 3 stanzas were your better ones.
These lines read a bit choppy:
a mommy, dad, respected
skunk in your community.
You're someone's child or sibling.
Or both. Perhaps a mate
I thought that "R.I.P." should have been spelled out.
The all-caps in the last line makes this more about you than the ode subject.
All-in-all, a good effort.
Comment Written 28-Aug-2011
reply by the author on 29-Aug-2011
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Thank you for your review and comments on my poem.
Comment from lishareading
Excellent! Everything in this world matters and should have its chance at life. And, yes, a skunk does have a family who will wonder where that part of their family will be after some time. It is so refreshing to hear someone who stopped and actually thought about these things (or at least I am going to believe you did; and just didn't write it for this poem - because I love animals).
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2011
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Excellent! Everything in this world matters and should have its chance at life. And, yes, a skunk does have a family who will wonder where that part of their family will be after some time. It is so refreshing to hear someone who stopped and actually thought about these things (or at least I am going to believe you did; and just didn't write it for this poem - because I love animals).
Comment Written 28-Aug-2011
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2011
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I appreciate your review and comments. No, it wasn't written just for this contest; as a matter of fact, I actually wrote it when carpooling to work one morning & we passed a skunk that had been hit by another vehicle. Thanks again.
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I am so glad that this was a heartfelt poem. And you are most welcome.
Comment from mumsyone
I always feel a sense of sadness for any animal that gets killed on the road. I live in the country, so I see all sorts--skunks, raccoons, and deer; even turtles, besides cats and dogs.
I enjoyed reading your well written poem. It has good rhyme and meter and a smooth flow.
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2011
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I always feel a sense of sadness for any animal that gets killed on the road. I live in the country, so I see all sorts--skunks, raccoons, and deer; even turtles, besides cats and dogs.
I enjoyed reading your well written poem. It has good rhyme and meter and a smooth flow.
Comment Written 28-Aug-2011
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2011
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Thank you for reviewing my poem. Your comments are appreciated. Yes, although we make jokes about roadkill, it really is sad, because every animal was special to some others of its kind.
Comment from old redeye
How ironic you would use this photo for a poem about a dead skunk. Since my kids were little I've always sung the Three Dog Night song, "Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road" whenever we smelled a dead skunk. They still demand it to this day.
Nice job with the poem. I really enjoyed it. I'm glad my photo could be associated with it.
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2011
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How ironic you would use this photo for a poem about a dead skunk. Since my kids were little I've always sung the Three Dog Night song, "Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road" whenever we smelled a dead skunk. They still demand it to this day.
Nice job with the poem. I really enjoyed it. I'm glad my photo could be associated with it.
Comment Written 28-Aug-2011
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2011
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Thank you doubly, both for your kind words about my poem and for the use of your photo. I searched for highway pictures & something about this one just clicked for me. I'll confess that, although we lived in California (San Francisco) for several years, I couldn't remember ever seeing a skunk there; so, I inquired of 'Ask.com' as to whether there are skunks in California, before using your photo. Apparently, you (and your kids) can attest to the fact that they are there! Thanks again.
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In the spring, we encountered them quite a bit on our way to Lake Berryessa. They used to wander through the yard of our trailer on the lake every evening. Are you familiar with the song?
