They come out of the woods in front of the house
walking single-file in a straight line
different sizes but each with
long, lithe legs
tawny coats of fur
graceful model-like necks
and perfectly shaped almond heads
with lovers' eyes.
They separate
some stand alone
others group, two or three together
each bends slightly
pokes a nose into the snow
nibbles beneath at small tufts of grass
it is quiet ----- absolute silence
I who am old sit, still
watching out the large front window
wondering, waiting
wanting nothing but this.
*********************
Later I go out as I often do
to go here and there
to do this and that
the post office, the market, the dump
I tell people I meet,
“I saw seven deer feeding in front of my house this morning,”
and they respond, “Oh how wonderful,” or
“I have never seen seven together,”
that is all, nothing more
nothing more
but I know there is more – much more.
When I return home
the deer are gone
leaving no physical trace
the wind is rising
the tide is in
the woods empty
the clouds, heavy, gray, swoop down
a mingling of earth, sea, sky
creates a monochromatic landscape.
Seven Deer
harbingers of
life’s final mystery
a mystery all life enters
and I will enter soon
but not yet, not quite yet.
Mickey Jacoba
Advent Calendar
Dawn of a New Day