We were the first humans seen by those
three on the dirt road near Crane's
beach. More innocent than tame
they mistook us, holding hands,
for something four legged
like them, and allowed
us to walk close.
We reached nearer, near
their wilderness. They did not stir
until one bounded off
half leaf, half bird.
The others followed, disappeared
into the trees. And we became
two bipeds instead of one deer.
Diana Der Hovanessian, from Songs of Bread, Songs of Salt