birds talking up a storm

announcing themselves to the world

sky of blue, clouds light and fluffy

a moderate, mid-December morn

as we started down the trail

A neighborhood dog barking

seeking our attention

perhaps to alert us to

respect the royalty

positioning just a few yards ahead

rounding a shallow curve

a young buck forages for

new shoots of green grass

in the tangle of a thicket

lifting his head between bites, watching

Just past the thicket a large buck

calmly munching newly sprouted grass

Lifting his head as if surveying

his kingdom and his subjects

the young buck perhaps his Paige

Looking across the stream at us

he nods his head and bends a knee

bowing in royal fashion

Sinking to the ground as if

sitting upon his throne

Once the king was seated

the paige sat as well.