Little Fawn

Little fawn, drink the streams’ crystal blue,
eat the forests’ lush green,
play with the playful meadow fairies;
care not of us upright things—
we are a long way from knowing your innocence.

Little fawn, saunter through your world,

know the sun’s gift and the land’s poetry,
love your parents and your friends;
but think not of our scary eyes—
we are mean and know nothing of your love.

Little fawn, it may seem I use trickery against you;

your elders can confirm the ways of my species.
But little fawn, know one thing:
I feign their wants and their needs,
I feign everything about them.

Truth, I am a trader, a green-hearted outlaw;

selling comfort for beauty, greed for experience.
And after I lay these words out for you to see,
I will continue to watch and love you—

            Defying all that is wrong with me

            to know a bit of all that is right with you.


From the book Kairos (print version only)