Mule Deer
Each deer
is a kōan—
a half-hidden
untruth truth,
a gentle,
empty expression
of wisdom
on their face:
the silence
just before
a thought
or just after.
Each deer
is an enigma,
their blank
faces housing
a delicate
ambiguity
of helplessness,
this delicacy
we use.
We use
the weak
for everything
but their wisdom.
We find the
smallest place
that we
can fit them
and then fit
them in.
We find them
irreparably dull.
We’ve made
them into
ourselves.