B) Man and Deer

MAN AND DEER

I go sticking
for kindling
most nights
in this wood
each step I take
a cacophony
of snapping
brittle branch
and twig
and crunch
of leaves
baked crisp

stopping tonight
to fill my pipe
I turned to see
a deer
unaware of me

my hand moved
a jot and
away she shot

didn't crack a twig