Red Eye

I’m a bit harried this morning.

Helmet on, check. Laptop inside bag, check. Door unlocked, check.

I know that S will shut things down so once I step outside I can just get going.

I close the door, straddle the motorbike, and ease it backwards through the narrow patio. It’s a bit wet on the handlebars but the storm that passed through has eased.

Now it’s just gray, and mist.

I gain traction with the gate and slide it toward our bicycles, propped on the homemade bamboo rack.

My favorite home project so far.

The large metal gate clanks against the handlebars of my mama-chari and I release the handle.

I’ve opened it far enough to turn the front wheel and sneak out into the street.

Fresh leaves have fallen from the neighbors’ tree and they dot the lane. A collection of reds, yellows, burnt oranges, and green.

They seem benign, mundane.

I notice a somewhat unique leaf, bristled, matted flecks of white and brown merged with bright red accents. Long and stringy at the end. When the wind picks up, this leaf is still.

Stagnant.

Planted.

It’s only when I pause to get a closer look do I see

The lidless eye

Standing out from a mutilated face

Dried blood caking the cheek and tiny mangled ear.

I catch my breath once I realise that this leaf is no longer a leaf.

And, for that matter, no longer a rat.

And something tells me the cats in the hood were busy last night.

---