Killer Cold

 

It has been cold all over the place since Christmas Day
No news there
But that does not make perils
any less likely
where ever you are
cold comfort

Just before dark the temp drops
From a high of eight degrees
for the dogs and I walking the ridge trail
and on down toward the lake
excercising before the subzero night clamps down

Birdy, just below the rim of the ridge
noses full of something
in the lee
I see a bedded deer fifty yards ahead
"Whoa boys"
They stop. The deer stands.
The dogs look to me
"Come home boys"

This big bodied deer is not right
it does not flee
something surely is amiss
Home we go, and the deer watches our departure
I wonder if it is old, sick, wounded
or just all played out from ten days below the doughnut

I go back after dark, sans dogs
and clicking on LEDs
as the supermoon has not yet risen

Near enough to where I remember
I approach
closer, closer

Head down, sprawled
The deer lies
Dead?

I'll be back in the daylight