Broke cover
Sudden
Stood stock still-
Breath, mist
Mingle

What thought, doe,
What sound, smell of
Greencoat man with
Lichen brow,
Moss beard,
Hazelnut eyes,
Moist as yours,
So brown.

Veins throb
Yours and mine
Silken hide
Only movement
Ears, nose twitch.

No pointed barb today,
No loud report

Just look
Slow as oak
Bark growing fingers
Grain of the trunk.

No haunch for butcher hook, today,
Doe
Disappear into
New forest thicket-

Oh, how you gentle me