DETANTE

a young deer
moving across the lawn
with an easy gait

Up here in the country the deer are plentiful. They are seen at the edge of woods, along the roads, in meadows and on lawns. Being new to the area I enjoy watching them, but am annoyed that they eat my plants.

I am willing to share my land and live side-by-side. A peaceful co-existence. Theirs and mine. To that end, I give them the wooded ravine behind our house. There they can eat until they are satisfied, mate, have babies, live a good life and die of old age.

deer spray in hand–
the promise of lilies
swaying in the breeze

Contemporary Haibun On-line, October 2007

ticking off the miles-
the wipers keep time
through rain and fog

steady rain-
turning the limp pages
of a book
Taj Mahal Review, June 2009

Summer

too late for fireflies-
on a dark country lane
the walking is slow

the crest of each wave-
a bright shimmer
before the crash

rising tide-
the sea spray swallowed
by fog

rotted tree stump-
assorted weeds
deeply rooted

Taj Mahal Review, June 2009

Spring

newly green meadow
buttercups
filled with rain

Stylus, July 2007
An Unknown Road, 2008

spring flowers-
one by one a bouquet
forms itself

Shamrock, September 2007
An Unknown Road, 2008