The trees seem thin, shedding the leaves they’ve been

burdened with and follow the season plan.

All stands still and….FLASH. A deer hurtles past,

flits past tree slits the light has lit. Skinny

and slight as the bright, turns straight toward my sight

STOPS. Holds her pause- as if to cause- the pops

and swush of underbrush to go away.

The trees are tense. They seem to sense détente.

A man. A deer. Silent, surprised, and near.

We stare. Eye to eye, wry and ware and see

each other, respecting. We slowly reach

an understanding. I cough, and she’s off.

White tail winks a final blink as trail sight

engulfs her. Leaving me. And leaves. And trees.

–

–

–

Photo by Adam Lowly