The Deer Yard

            -1-

I looked out at the depth of snow

At least three feet and maybe more

Brought on by many storms that moved

Across the land now left so white.

But now this day was bright and clear

And brought me thoughts of getting out

I wondered how I’d move around

And thought “snowshoes,” that is the way.

And so I took the snowshoes down

Right off the wall where they’d been kept

As ornaments for all to see

But useful purpose, again to fill

I tied them on – the bear paw type –

And stood to see just how they felt

I tested them upon the snow

And found I moved around quite well.

And so I left the warmth and cheer

Of cabin, and went out into

A wilderness of cold and snow

That was so deep, and white and cold

I headed up a trail I’d made

With my Kubota and a skid

In bringing cords of wood to burn

On cold and winter days as this.

            -2-

I moved along this whitened trail

And often stopped and watched the woods

To see if there was ought but me

That ventured out among the pines

I saw no signs of tracks or flight

Of nothing showing, none at all

I began to feel I’d never see

A bird or beast this wintery day.

And so as I continued on

I was surprised to see a trough

And looking closer at this trail

I noticed way down in the depth

The hoof prints of a deer – no, two.

These deer, for hungry they must be

Had plowed their way thru deepest snow

And stripped red cedar of its bark.

Then turned once more and ploughed their way

Until they met the trail again

The trail on which I stood and gazed

At hoof prints that were large and small

And knew that I was looking at

The split hooves of a doe and fawn

The doe ahead and breaking snow

That must have come up to her chest.

            -3-

I now proceeded cautiously

With hopes of catching sight of them

I checked the wind and found it too

Was in my favor, thus I knew

They would not catch my human scent.

As I continued toward a stand

Of pines I knew that lay not far

And where these deer could hunker down.

Now cautiously I moved ahead

And always searched before I moved

Then carefully would take a step

Listening, listening for any sound

Especially that of crunching snow

That would tell a deer’s ahead.

And so I closely watched the trail

That led me toward the copse of pine.

I was surprised when I got near

That group of pine that grew so close.

Some other trails came into view

And like the one upon my trail

Were made by deer, more than a few

I saw them now, their trails well packed

But then they sniffed and caught my scent

And scattered, thru the snow they went.

            -4-

I watched for never had I seen

As many deer as I saw now

They leaped and bounded thru the snow

As frightened as most deer can be

I’d startled them, and off they went

But knew they would return that night

I’d seen the yard where these deer stay

Where snow is deep and cold holds sway.