Shared Solitude

“Shared Solitude” A forest, dimly lit and green, Where sense of smell was clearly keen, Where trees loomed tall and closely set, Where trailing vines and twilight met. A place of foggy, morning rain, A place of undisturbed terrain, A place of sunlight’s seasoned song, A place I felt that I belonged. A place that harbored Nature’s best, A place where I was uninvited guest; The place where first I saw those eyes, So well-preserved in their disguise. A stag, majestic in his stead With noble antlers crowning head – He stood atop the hill, just so, Surveying what was his below. I watched him, as he made his way Along the paths where squirrels played, Among the rocks and broken trails And through the wooded, fernlike veils, Until he came to where I stood, And held his ground, as best he could. He sniffed the air for signs of fear Detecting danger might be near, But never faltered, flinched or fled, And closer moved with cautious tread. Until I could but reach my hand And almost touch to understand The warmth that lay beneath his breast And all the wisdom he possessed. So, watched we there in Nature’s pause, And gave each other goodlycause To what our frailties might reveal, Of what the other might then feel, Until he turned to steal away And leave me all alone that day With just the sound of summer sighs, With just the kindness in his eyes.