A deer leapt through the brush
Thunderlanding a few meters away
Relieved more than alarmed
I walked forward on my downwind path
Obliquely away from the deertrail
Which calmed the deer
Who was looking ahead
At the other one that I hadn’t noticed at first
Stock still against rocks and trees
I was relieved
Not having seen deer here for some time
One species among many that call this forest home
Or way station for island hopping windriders
So when they started grazing on rare native fawn lilies
I was only mildly pissed off
And sent them a psychic entreaty to curb their appetites
Until dusk shrouds surrounding suburban streets
Where gardeners obligingly plant deer salad
A raw deal
David Trudel © 2013
