Fawn, drinking - Sharon Larkin

 

Fresh-faced Narcissus came to the water’s edge

and looking down, immediately fell, infatuated.

 

Not so this nimble-footed fawn, gentle tongue

touching the water, barely rippling the surface.

 

I note the reflection, the double loveliness,

know this young deer has come just to drink

not to preen in the sheen of this shallow pool,

 

I hold my breath as I scan the wider scene,

expect to see his mother, sibling, or a future

mate – but no, this Bambi lookalike’s alone.

 

Scarcely daring to move, I’m slow to align him

in the cross-hairs, close focus on his left eye,

 

feel my forefinger first tremble, then squeeze

the cable-release for the prize-winning shot.

 

 

 

Midnight Cull - Kayleigh Campbell

 

Silence settles on the treetops,

light rain brushes leaves.

 

Twilight emerges, smiling.

The woodland residents peek out,

 

enchanted by evening light.

Peaceful sound echoes; birdsong,

 

fluttering of wing, raindrops.

The sky darkens, wind livens.

 

A seasoned forest-dweller -

black, white, wiry fur –

 

scouts snout-first through undergrowth,

foraging a worm for tea.

 

                                 A step too far -

iron jaws clamp on back legs.

 

Hopeless struggles and scurrying,

leaves rustling, frantic.

 

Deep voices, footsteps, torches.

Dogs growling, sniffing, barking.

 

A rippling gunshot, then                       silence.