crow (868 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: practice
Rating: 1.53 on 57 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by scourge (View user info) at 2007-06-29 15:34:42 EDT
The crow had been hit by a car.
One of its wings was twisted around in an entirely unnatural way...feathers pointing out in a dozen different directions, and its ability to lift the scavenger into the sky gone from it forever. Still black, oily, shimmering... beautiful but without any usefulness. Splayed open so widely that his skin was visible in amongst them. I don't think I had ever seen a bird's skin before.
One of his legs - those scaly reminders that these creatures, these beings who capture our imagination with this ability to touch the sky...to SOAR...are descendants of huge and fearsome reptiles - was snapped nearly in half. Bent back over itself, and held together by the barest thread of tissue.
I suppose they share more than these scales.
The ability to capture imagination is something else. It can come out of left field.
A line of trudging ants, the suns light fighting its way out in the middle of a summer rainstorm, wind whistling in the dusty eaves of an abandoned building, wheeling birds atop an updraft, a solitary leaf gently falling to the ground, a sunbeam shattered upon the surface of a puddle, a soft whisper coming out of a dark night, and dusty bones that represent fearsome predatory rule long gone...
I was young. Maybe eight.
Plodding down the sidewalk, avoiding every crack. Not out of any fear of a fracture to my mother's back, more just a matter of some kind of juvenile obsessive compulsive behaviour.
He dropped out of the tree nearby...
Hey, have you ever noticed that if it's at all possible a crow will seek out a dead tree to sit in, or at least a dead branch? It's true. Watch them.
He was aiming for the whatever it was that had been obliterated by a car and now lay lifeless on the pavement. By the looks of it, it had met its end at least a few days before.
That way they throw their feet forward at the last possible moment to prevent themselves belly flopping into the ground? That was when the car shifted lanes and plowed into him.
A simple, muffled 'Pop', and he was thrown into the air, though with much less grace than he was capable of under his own power..
Funny, because even though he was obviously broken beyong repair, there wasn't any real blood to speak of...
So, I picked him.
Big bird, but surprisingly light, cradled in my hands, one eye looking up at me. Ancient. His mouth opening and closing. I imagined he was speaking to whatever it is that crows speak to as they try to die.
I leaned my face towards him, put my nose right next to his body and inhaled. He smelled black. It's true.
The right thing to do when something is suffering is to help that suffering end.
I pumped my BB gun up 20 times, even though you're only supposed to do ten. I pointed it at his eye, the one that was no longer looking at me, but through me, and pulled the trigger.
And his mouth kept opening and closing.
Over and over, I pumped BBs into his dark body.
And the broken wing kept flapping at the sky that it couldn't use anymore, and its mouth continued its silent prayer to the god of the crows, and I burst into tears.
User Reviews
Submitted by Lurby (user info) at 2008-07-05 15:12:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Read some of your posts. Great imagery. A little gory for my taste but still great imagery.
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-06-18 11:56:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by sicosemen (user info) at 2007-10-30 15:39:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
You're the lamest ever! Rules are rules ;)
Submitted by ShapeShifter (user info) at 2007-08-29 15:16:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2007-08-14 12:42:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I liked this, killing an animal from so close is very personal and sometimes hard to do. My experience in this was with a deer that had fallen in a ravine and broken its back. It lay there bleating and crying, unable to move, unable to reach food or water. So I did the only thing I could think to do, I killed it. I pulled its ears back and cut its throat with the knife I had on my side. And I have to say if that kind of experience doesn't feel horrendous, doesn't rock you, doesn't feel personal, well, I would have to guess you have no feeling because it was all of those things and more.
So why would I do it? The alternative was to let the poor bastard lay there bleating until a predator came to eat him alive or until he starved, slowly wasting away, and frankly that seemed so much more cruel than simply ending his life.
Submitted by Fatterrific (user info) at 2007-07-02 02:37:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
One time my buddy ran over a crow, in a 4Runner or something. I kept expecting it to fly away, but it just sat there and got flattened. I laughed.
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2007-06-30 15:41:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSMLx44DqFc
Submitted by LeeMarvin (user info) at 2007-06-30 05:00:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-06-30 02:41:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:49:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
redundant? maybe.
boring? nah. you love this place, rob.
---
I am rather fond of this vile little despot, yes - but lately it's been painfully boring with some brief pockets of fun.
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-06-30 01:54:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by experima (user info) at 2007-06-29 23:30:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
hey, scourge.
http://www.ubersite.com/m/100544
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-06-29 22:00:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I hit a mallard once. That sucked. I like mallards.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:57:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-30 11:53:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
no worries, man.
i just may care less about ratings than anyone else
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Well suck my balls, have a +2 anyway.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:53:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
no worries, man.
i just may care less about ratings than anyone else here. i'm here for the maladjusted social interaction. i get some good back and forth with the weirdos here and i'm good.
hot beer...mmmmmmmmmm
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:51:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:50:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
God DAMN it.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:49:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
redundant? maybe.
boring? nah. you love this place, rob.
i only have hot beer left. the freezer isn't getting them cold quick enough. i have imbibed in more than my share of hot beer in my life, and i guess the number is getting ready to go up by one.
Cards are getting ready to take the Reds. 3 outs to go.
love it.
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:42:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
One loves Scourge, too. One loves beer, too. Time for another shot, as well.
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:40:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Nice. I\'ll have to check out the ttom post.
Apollo? I\'ll check that too.
I\'ve peeked in once in a while, but not enough to know what\'s going on. Actually got some work done.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:28:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The last 6 days?
Not much - I made another appearance in a TTOM comic strip - so that is awesome.
Apollo88 and most of his alters got bannennated.
Scourge has cranked his petulance all the way up to seven-fucking-teen.
um...
Other than that, same ole smelly redundant boring bullshit.
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:25:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 +2 I hate when I do that to decent folks.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:23:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
In highschool we used to change the channel right as the pitcher would release the ball just to watch our friend Mike's head explode.
That was fun.
I guess I did watch it a little when the Jays were good. Now they suck and I have lost interest.
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:23:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
fuck
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:23:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
\'Bout three hours from that place (I tried to spell it without paging back, but fuck it). Never been there. Spent most of my time here up north, actually. Your brother\'s living my wife\'s dream (horses and desert).
Hey Rob, thanks.
Way too much love going on here. What happened the last six days?
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:21:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
You should, rob.
Especially the Cards.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:18:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Congrats on the raise fish!
um... I don't watch baseball.
Go Cardbacks!
wooo?
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:15:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I love you lungfish.
In a completely non-gay way.
It should be a good series. Our numbers do not speak to how well we have been playing lately. It will be fun to watch.
How close are you to Huachuca City? My brother moved out that way five years ago. Got himself about ten acres, a few horses. He's an Arizona guy now. He still won't cheer for the D'backs though.
Submitted by lungfish (user info) at 2007-06-29 21:12:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Seems to me the D\'backs are coming to town.
If I weren\'t a Cards fan my whole life, I\'d say watch out for the trash talk...which I don\'t really do, and when I do...it\'s meek. So...whatever.
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2007-06-29 19:53:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Coyote (user info) at 2007-06-29 18:47:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This was good, not in a "good for Uber" way, but in an "actually good" way.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-06-29 18:59:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Crows are evil, that's why it wouldn't die.
Submitted by Coyote (user info) at 2007-06-29 18:47:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This was good, not in a "good for Uber" way, but in an "actually good" way.
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2007-06-29 18:41:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
you know what? i don't care.
because:
http://www.ubersite.com/m/91634
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 18:21:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by ticklish_squirrel (user info) at 2007-06-29 18:01:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
apologetic +2
I know, sorry.
===
its okay.
just apologize with nudes and we're tight.
Submitted by ticklish_squirrel (user info) at 2007-06-29 18:01:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
apologetic +2
I know, sorry.
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2007-06-29 18:00:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/91634
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:57:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:56:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
fuck you
---
i only fuck girls
Submitted by experima (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:56:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
hey, scourge.
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:56:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
oops.
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:56:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
fuck you
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:40:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
well that was mean.
and i'm such an easygoing guy...sheesh
Submitted by ticklish_squirrel (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:39:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Fuck you, I'm not an alter. Ass.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:39:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by ticklish_squirrel (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:18:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
you're more than just a badass bloody mary, beautiful eyes and a good fuck, aren't you?
===
...
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:29:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by ticklish_squirrel (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:18:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
you're more than just a badass bloody mary, beautiful eyes and a good fuck, aren't you?
---
well, i also play a mean banjo and like chess an awful lot.
whose alter are you?
Submitted by DirtyHarry (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:28:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:20:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by ticklish_squirrel (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:18:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
you're more than just a badass bloody mary, beautiful eyes and a good fuck, aren't you?
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 17:12:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2007-06-29 15:54:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
....then you became a lobbyist.
===
Yeah. But we lobbyists are just big idea people (without souls). We use you numbers people to really get our evil work done.
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2007-06-29 16:05:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
<insert witty and insightful commentary here>
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2007-06-29 15:54:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
....then you became a lobbyist.
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2007-06-29 15:51:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Fey (user info) at 2007-06-29 15:49:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2007-06-29 15:43:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
sad
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2007-06-29 15:40:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by EmoJean (user info) at 2007-06-29 20:37:18 BST (#)
Ranking: 1
you should have crumpled him
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hahahaha!
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2007-06-29 15:38:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I like the last two crots. The first two don't work as well.
Submitted by The_Drake (user info) at 2007-06-29 15:37:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You\'re a faggot.
Just kidding.
Don\'t hate me.
I liked this.
Submitted by EmoJean (user info) at 2007-06-29 15:37:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
you should have crumpled him
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-06-29 15:37:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
happy weekend, Uber, i'm going home