Leaps Poem by Alice Miller

The
Deer
ran,
heavy hoofbeats
churning the
earth to
fear
and mirth and
laughter,
eyes wild
with something more
then
terror.

An acceptance.

Yet you ran,
knowing you could not
outrun the other,
knowing you would lose
and fall-
knees hitting mud,
pitching forward,
a
stick in the sand.

Run, she breathes,
already blood-stained
paws eager
for the race.
Run (again)
she breathed,
smoky breath rolling over
a lolling grin,
puffs of steam.

Yet you run,
falling and moving
faster,
brown-fawn coat
slick with sweat,
too-heavy antlers
thin with only a few tines,
desperate for
the fininsh line...

9/10 the hunter
loses
having to turn away.
She's lucky today............

You.
LEAP,
fall on a pines rough bark.

The sun is high,
glittering off the shiny needles,
evergreen.

You look up,
in wonder at the orb.
Eagles and cheetah's would
lose to it.

Bloodstained paws stomp
nearer,
eager for a meal.

He stares,
caught in wonder.