Raccoon Recreated

Stanley Silversmith was born on April 15, 1967.
He grew to 5 foot 4, wear glasses, and think of himself as an artist.

Rocky Raccoon was born on May 23, 2006.
He grew to 26 pounds, wear a mask, and think of his stomach.

On November 6, 2007 Stanley and Rocky met in passing
About a mile down the road from Stanley’s house
While Rocky was returning from a long
Night of track-picking.

Stanley swerved
Which Rocky really appreciated and tried
To show his thanks with a wave when
The car behind Stanley’s smashed
Into Rocky.

Among other things, Rocky’s
Stomach got squished out of his
Flea-infested fur, and I think
He may have even caught a glimpse
Of this masterly organ before
He succumbed.

Stanley had also caught a glimpse
Though not of Rocky’s wave, but
Of the disaster as it reseeded into his
Rearview mirror. It wasn’t until
Stanley was on his way home that
Evening that he saw all that was left
Of Rocky. What a bloody mess.

For the next week, Stanley slowed
And swerved around the spot where
Rocky met his end, where Rocky’s
Carcass became flatter with every passing
Car and more decayed with every passing
Day. He may have slowed and swerved
Out of respect for the dead, or maybe out
Of respect for his clean car, I’m not sure.

Anyway, on November 13th, which was
A Tuesday, Stanley slowed and swerved
And then stopped, and sat, and felt a bit
Weird, but swallowed and felt better. Then
He put his car in reverse until Rocky’s
Remains slid from left to right below
Just outside his drivers-side window. It was
Now no longer a recognizable raccoon, only
A dry, thin gray pizza dough with tufts of hair
Poking out and about. Stanley

Popped his trunk and out of his car, picked
Up the Frisbee of matted meat and tossed
It next to the spare tire and jack. He felt dirty
But as he jumped back into his seat he found
A napkin with which to wipe the two fingers
That pinched what his parents told him to
Avoid back in 1973.

This contraband coonskin did not have a chance
To stink up the trunk, for Stanley soon arrived
At the gallery he frequented, where, he borrowed
A hammer, a nail, and tacked Rocky’s remains to
The wall along with a bit of paper that read, “Pelt
No. 3.” On Wednesday, an art critic from far away

Found himself standing, transfixed by Pelt No. 3
Though not by its powers of attraction but by the
Repulsive scent. Those present who were in the
Know, knew, that Pelt No. 3 had gripped this critic,
Thought they knew not how. All of a sudden Pelt

No. 3 got a lot more attention until, on Saturday,
It was featured on the cover of the local Arts
Paper that happens to include a lot of other dirty
Pictures. Nonetheless, Stanley, Pelt No. 3, and
Even Rocky (in part), became quite famous
Earned several awards, and was sold many time
Over for handsome sums of money. None of this
Can be denied, but many people are asking at
Which point in this story did Rocky the Raccoon
Become Art Thou
Rocky?