Sun rising, bright for the morning

few clouds to measure the light

birds a plenty flitting from tree to tree

not loud, faintly heard chirping

almost unrecognized

 

The air brisk as we started

down a trail often trod

a friend now comfortable and familiar

Round a bend, say 30 yards

five does and yearlings fed

 

Some turned their ears

others raised heads,

pausing in repast to see

whether we posed threat

we greeted them as they posed

 

They didn’t mind our presence

or the click of the camera

almost it seemed

they might speak to us,

a greeting of sorts

 

Yet they were quiet,

even when walking through

tall grass, brushing their flanks

 

whispering as they returned

to breaking their fast.

 

Saying a quiet farewell

we continued along the trail

shortly encountering more

deer in the tall grass,

most does and yearlings

 

Mostly in silence, does

watching over yearlings

they spread across the field

ignoring us but aware

ready to run if needed.

 

Oh, not from us,

but from other predators

dogs perhaps, or coyotes

maybe a large cat

Nothing they couldn’t handle.

 

As we walked, we noticed a group

two does and a yearling,

quietly following us

never stopping the feast

not interacting, though aware

 

Soon they closed the distance

catching us in an open patch

and stopping, not ten feet away

Quietly they stamped, as if calling us

and stared with those large eyes

 

I swear, they were posing

asking for pictures

giving us a special memory

created by the deer, just for us,

before leaping quietly through tall grass