Deer Story

A Deer Story

Walking, walking, walking
coming to a bend
sharp enough
that the world disappears
around it
suddenly
a dappled doe
frozen in motion
man and beast
staring
I gave her my age
she gave me her youth
together
we rode the myths
of the Egyptians
the Greeks
The Romans
The Norsemen
The Celts
Not looking for
or searching
instead immersing
in heroes
and heroines
thrusting ourselves
upward
beyond
galaxies
riding, riding, riding
exalting
in the cold
of an autumn morning
at last
on earth
she strode into the wood
head held high
both of us
changed forever