kill your darlings

i killed a baby rabbit when i was fourteen -

i was only trying to feed it,

but i squeezed the tiny bottle too hard

and the formula began to pour out of the rabbit’s nose.

its eyes weren’t even open yet.

i cried in horror and held it as it convulsed until

its velvet body grew stiff and cold in my palms.

i wish i knew exactly what i did wrong

because i keep doing the same thing

but with people.