Herd

 

Herd

 

On another day a field

or two over from here

eight or so more so it’s not easy

to tell since winter is

 

yet & will be for weeks

more (but the snow has been

called back by the lengthening

presence of the sun

 

and all the run off that comes

with it) and all that is

dun all that is blonde

and blonde’s kin is this herd’s

 

safe place beneath

the bare trees stationed

at the base of the hill.  A horde

of acorn was all season

 

below the snow, and now

the deer are mostly noses

& slow considerate ruminates.

Some are soon

 

to lamb close to this spate

of oak & maple density.

Their months ago surrender

to rut has proofed.  Soon: loosed.