To a Deer

Tall and slender, shadowed creature,

Proud and timid, fill my soul.

You are struck by man’s cruel trappings

You, so young, who won’t grow old.

Falling, trembling, shaking, crying,

Stumbling o’er the purple heather

Eyes are full of despair, longing 

For peace, which will soon come forever.

Groaning now, you fall and try

To raise your struggling body high

Fawn and furry, staining red

A plaintive  cry, then you lie dead.

Alas, my heart bleeds for your pain,

In my mind, you’ll live again.