Muscles taut, it hears the shout
There are humans 'round about
The sun draws patterns through the trees
As danger wafts in winter breeze
Raucous calls and hungry bay
And yet the doe its ground does stay
Blending with the dappled light
The frightened fawn keeps out of sight
Hound and horse now plain to see
Reddened eyes and yellowed teeth
Now there is no place to hide
Doe and fawn will soon have died
In one last move, the mother sprints
As cold black metal in sunlight glints
She leads them far from huddled child
Thundering hooves not far behind
Racing through the slush and grass
But rifle's drawn, they're coming fast
From high above he pulls the trigger
A silent shriek, a fallen figure
Atop their horses they now rejoice
"It's just a deer", comes modest voice
The vacant stare of dying doe
Stains with blood the virgin snow
Man is great for man is wise
Yet with his soul does compromise
Man is great for he is kind
Yet greedy hand and twisted mind
Man or beast, I can't decide
Let Conscience be my worthy guide.
***
