The Invader

My body appears in her radius,
An invader in the dawn scene.
Gusts shoot rabbits down their holes hiding
In the expanse of grass grey and twinkling.
Alert, her head with mane flashing
Like the rustled leaves of a tree
Snaps up, legs elongated,
Ready for flight.

Her expressive face twitches to stone,
The urge causes her ears, erect in
Concentration to start towards me. Excess
Skin shrinks, protruding inky eyes intent
On my movements. From flared
Nostrils puffs uncertain snorts
Of steam, appealing to me,
So I reply.

And she forgets the instincts, they roll
Down to be submerged in the soil.
Then ears flop forwards with obvious relief
And folds of skin surge to cover her eyes.
For a moment gratitude glimmers.
She drops her head in search of grass,
Whispers linger in her mane,
And I remain.