I killed the babies today
Skin: translucent, limp, cobwebbed veins,
Eyes: Bold deep voids
Arms: wing-like parchment

I did not intend to… but
At the oval I prodded, raked, jostled;
It dangled on the stubby edge,
Then plopped into the refuse can.

Shock, anger, pain swelled my head
Please forgive me! I made a mistake!

A fluttering sparrow only screeched around my head
As I dug a secluded place under the pine to protect them from another animal.

- Minnie A. Collins