we sat by the river
eating in-n-out
reminiscing about the past
across the stream i saw her
a doe with eyes as big as the earth,
with fur as tan as espresso,
her speckles as white as snow
we held each other's gaze
in that moment we shared heart beats
i could feel her curiosity and awe
i’m sure she could feel mine, too.
i pondered if her family was nearby
did she have a father, too?
are the antlers on the buck’s head
supposed to mimic a crown on a king?
is that what it means to be a father?
to rule over others?
what if it was his forest
and all, including his daughter, were trespassing
how cruel to think that there is a chance
of me and her being one and the same
aching heart,
is this what god meant when he said we are all his creation?
or maybe
it’s supposed to represent
the powerful force that is a father’s love
the bones branching over his head signify
just how strong his devotion is
maybe it is the personification of a promise
“i will always protect you”
when the doe in woodward left,
i thought of how cruel yet beautiful god could be.
--Ruby M., Adult