Deer Tracks

On a walk in the woods,

 In the early morning mist,

I stopped to rest

Beneath a thin white birch.

I heard her approach,

Moving slow to the clearing.

Her hooves touched lightly

Yet solid on frozen ground

She stopped at once

Her head held high,

Searching my presence

Statue frozen, staring, still.

Her eyes met mine.

I did not move.

There was no sound

Save the song of birds.

In that moment,

We seemed connected.

For I felt her courage,

And I knew her power.

 Then she turned away,

Her head bent low.

She walked into the woods.

And the moment was gone.