Through Nature’s Eyes
In silence, crept the rising sun, to wake another day,
As forest leaves and woodland limbs began to ebb and sway;
It’s rustling woke the rested doe, she felt the warmth and light,
A long deserved, triumphant sleep, as birth had come through night.
Surrounded by protective brush, in bedded-down content,
She raised her mighty head to scan the wood for morning scent;
The earthy loam that greeted her ensured they were alone,
While by her side, her infant slept, in rhythmic, gentle drone.
With tender care, she nuzzled him beneath his velvet chin,
His rounded eyes began to flutter, waking from within;
Entwined in warmth and innocence, she gazed upon her fawn,
A mother’s pride swept over her, to greet the coming dawn.
She raised herself upon all fours, and stretched to meet the day,
He mimicked her swift movements in his awkward childlike way;
On trembling legs too tall for him, he struggled to remain,
But tipped and swayed in comic stance, his balance still inane.
In beauty as he blossomed there, she watched him gain his stride,
Not one day old, yet nature knew and urged him as he tried;
He leaned into his mother’s flank, so muscular and strong,
With gentle ease and guidance shown, she steadied him along.
In careful step, he followed her, into the light of day,
And suckled as she stopped to graze in silence on the way;
In tune with her surroundings, and the danger everywhere,
Her senses always wary, as she sheltered him with care.
She heard a noise and raised her head, the sound was out of place,
She cocked her ears and tensed herself … her heart began to race;
Into the wind, she scanned the air, in search of unknown scent,
Protectively, her muscles froze, assessing the intent.
He felt the fear instinctively, her posture’s subtle change,
He paused to gauge his mother’s move, in tune with this exchange;
Alone along the forest edge, the two transcended time,
A portrait of a doe and fawn, magnificent … sublime.
A “click” and suddenly she sniffed aroma drifting by,
She braced her legs upon the ground, in readiness to fly;
Aware somehow of pending flight, he quickly rushed the woods,
And for a moment, mother paused, in beauty, there she stood.
With flowing grace, she turned in stride, and leapt into the air,
Presenting her intruder with a flash of white from rear;
She bobbed and wove into the wood, as nature closed behind,
A lesson for her newborn fawn … be wary of mankind.
She traced their steps to safer ground, this mother and her child,
While in the clearing, someone stood, in awe of them, and smiled;
The human had intruded, though he meant no pending harm,
Awash with adulation, and in tune with nature’s charm.
They knew not of their beauty, nor their innocence and grace,
But captured for eternity … in photo they were placed.