Helpless

I saw her from a distance
poised sleek and graceful
her coat light against
the green foliage

The road stretched straight
simmering with heat
she crossed before me
and I slowed

watching for her mate
and saw instead
a spotted fawn emerge
hesitantly from the trees

then dash madly
in his mother's wake
spindly legs flying
over the concrete

I rolled by cautiously
and saw them hovering
together in the trees
looking back at

a tiny awkward twin
stranded on the other side
of a strip of speeding cars
waiting for rescue


Childless