Seeing the forest beyond trees

The deer folded herself. Some
might say she was pretending
to be a fallen tree. Some might
say she was frightened

at the footsteps thudding
a way up the wooden boardwalk. Some
might say the reason she is
the same color as tree bark

is because she has a fear of being
open for the world to see. But
if you had been there - - - ten steps
from that folded deer - - -almost

close enough to see the breath
clouding the air as it evacuated
her lungs - - - almost close enough
to lay hands on the flank and look

into the darkmatter of her eyes,
see the secrets of everything
that has ever been - - - you would know
her folding had nothing to do with fear.

Author's Note

2020

Reviews

[Beccy]

We are perhaps the ones that should fear. On a technical level our species has accomplished so much, but we still know less about this world we inhabit than that little deer.

'Close enough to lay hands on the flank and look
into the dark matter of her eyes,
see the secrets of everything.'

Those are truly wonderful lines.

Beccy.

[Eilis]

That is very true, Beccy. Thank you for reading and for your kind words. I hope you are well.