Rain-softened mud showed clear deer tracks where mother and little one earlier crossed my path.
One set smaller wandering back and forth among the steadier, larger tracks.
I stopped, stooped and placed the vee of my spread fingers in one of the tracks and felt the deer.
The next rain will flatten all the mud again, and erase these sharp prints.
I realized that my foot prints will also disappear but it was all right,
better; at once I was free, unfettered. I walked along counting the minutes of my great day.
Published in Quest, CLF Unitarian Universalist Vol. LX No.3 March 2004
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Reviews of "Deer Tracks"
Reviewed by Gianetta Ellis (Reader)
Reviewed on January 27, 2008
I love how this poem captures the feeling of unity with nature - our inherent yet often dormant desire to connect with nature. These lines also express how fleeting these precious moments are and, yet, how profoundly they can affect us if we really "let them in." After reading your words, I am again inspired to be aware and not allow my drive to connect with our Source to be overburdened by the unimportant things we all too often allow to infiltrate our days.
Dear Henry. "Deer Tracks" is one of my favorites Thanks for sharing.. MARY PAT
Reviewed by Judy Lloyd (Reader)
Reviewed on February 19, 2005
This is really well done Henry and I too can feel the deer. Living next to the woods in the country sometimes they come up in the front yard. Gives my dog a start but they are such beautiful creatures.
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(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in tx., karen lynn. :D