FAWM: "Flat Squirrel"

Flat Squirrel

2025 by @mikegtz

Liner Notes

True story-I saw two dead (and flat) squirrels on the road this morning, first on my way to pick up my new glasses and then on the way back home. Rough for squirrels out there and others...some apologies due to Loudon Wainwright III

Lyrics

There was a flat squirrel on the road today Not quite quick enough to dodge the passing car No one to mourn him, he just lay there Until someone scrapes him off the road

Later, there was another flat squirrel on another road Not quite quick enough to dodge the passing car Another casualty on his way to a nearby tree Someone needs to scrape him off the road

A friend of mine was laid off from his job Deemed as too expensive, fired on the spot Needs to find another or he'll be a casualty Hope they won't be scraping him off the road

Flat squirrel in the middle of the road Flat squirrel in the middle of the road Flat squirrel in the middle of the road Flat squirrel in the middle of the road Dead squirrel Dead squirrel Dead squirrel

Comments

@beacon 2025

I always love a lyric where there's a twist at the end of the writing where it's really about something else. This was really well done.

@tcelliott 2025

I have to admit that you're bringing the feels about a squirrel on the road. I usually don't give a damn, the dang things need evicted from my eaves. Then you hit that third stanza and brought it all home. Dang! What a great metaphor. I'm sorry I doubted you.

@nancihobson1 2025

The title got to me. I was taken off guard by the way the lyrics went sideways, really nice job there, it packs quite a punch! Great stuff as always, Mike. Your lyrics are always deceptively simple, and then I think, wait, what did he say??

@hbusse 2025

Interesting turn from the squirrel story into the lyric about your friend! That is an important part of our job as songwriters, isn’t it, to draw meaningful connections between things that aren’t always obvious.

@writeandwrong 2025

Oh wow, I wasn’t expecting that! Wishing the best for your friend! Such a scary situation.😞 The heavy strumming really complements the deep, emotional vibe. Nice performance!

This reminds me of something my daughter did a while back. One year, she went out for a walk and started rescuing turtles from the road, moving them to safety so they wouldn’t get hit. Thankfully, the traffic slowed down for her!!