I Killed My Friend Henry Poem by Kelvin Rush

Dear old Henry what have I done
We were such good friends we had so much fun
I would stroke you gently and give you food
You would make me laugh you were quiet and subdued

We would meet each night on my kitchen floor
You would start your journey from my cupboard door
It would take you an hour to reach my fridge
Gliding on your slime balancing on the ridge

I would see your little tentacles appear from within
Moving like radars taking it all in
Sniffing out danger hoping to be fed
Wondering who this stranger was stroking your head

I even met your children two tiny little things
Side by side hitching a ride seeing what daddy brings
Learning all the pitfalls in the fragile life of a slug
Clinging tight an amazing sight feeling warm and snug

But joy soon turned to disaster
On a cold November night
I entered the kitchen at the usual time
But I couldn't turn on the light
I made my way to the fuse box
To see why the power had blown
On my way there I fell over the chair
And heard a disheartening groan

I had stood on dear old Henry
Who was now at the bottom of my foot
Squashed like a soggy tomato
I could hardly bear to look
I gently removed his body
He never moved or made a sound
I said a little prayer wrapped him in a paper towel
And buried him carefully in the ground