June 5, 2007, by Thomas Scott Daly
Another day in the Jungle
I opened the back door late this
afternoon and as I did I felt something
like a big bug bounce of my chest.  I
looked down and dimly perceived
some odd wriggling going on.  

I got out my flashlight and glasses, and
to my dismay, I saw half a lizard,  from
the front legs to the head, looking up
at me.  He had been cut in half by the
door closing.

I didn't know how to react.  I felt bad for
him;  I like lizards in general, but wasn't
acquainted with this one personally. He
was not in good shape and appeared
to suspect it.  It was a very clean cut,
and happened so suddenly,  there was
no time for making amends, or setting
things in order.    

I looked him in the eye for that critical
moment as he looked back helplessly.  
Then I swept him out the back door
along with his other half I found on the
steps.

It was an odd moment, and surely, he
deserved a better send off.