Deer and Cherry Tree by Kano Tan’yû, 1667
Bowls of seasons have arced heaven
since this recollection came to pass.
‘Twas before the boys hit teens, and I,
a divorced young mother, yearned
for resonance in a world beyond cave.
Bravely traversing cyberia, an enclave,
one some might call a bamboo grove,
happened along the way; where like-
minded philosophers conversed dao.
We soaked in it, pointing at the moon.
Noxious vine did creep in on its belly,
incremental parasite, strangling light
turning toasting wine to etching acid
housing my ricketed belfry with bats
where bells tolled doom of madness.
Boxed in my skull’s frame, my brain
pled a phrenologist’s pick for release.
On perfect summer day, yet clouded
with dismay, sons and I sought light
a favored swimming place, the beach.
Can’t remember who saw her first,
a doe, struggling in the surf, one leg
bent all wrong, a bone protruding.
Racing the car, we retrieved carrots.
Exhausted, she lay on the shore,
Terrified as she struggling to stand.
A ranger stood over her with mercy,
a pistol, and intent. Circling their
shoulders with heavy arms, I turned
my boys to the car, ears’ agonizing
for the shot.
I thank the deer for her sacrifice.
This poem is based on a true story.
I am today’s host of dVerse’ Poetics. I say:
choose one of these options:
a) recall an experience you’ve had where you’ve asked for a sign or came upon a sign unasked-for and interpreted it and to write a poem about the experience, preferably in first person.
b) do some research and find a myth, legend, or story about asking for or interpreting signs and write a poem about what you find.
c) be the world creator and design your own signs and write a poem about it for others to be amazed and inspired by when they read it.
Tao Talk 
I enjoyed your poem based on a true story, Lisa. I love the phrase ‘bowls of seasons’ – it makes me think of different fruits for different seasons in a bowl in the kitchen. The lines that stood out for me, that chilled me, are:
‘housing my ricketed belfry with bats
where bells tolled doom of madness’.
And that poor doe!
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Kim, those were crazy times in more ways than one. I know, about the doe :( I need to ask both of my sons how they remember it all. We’ve never talked about it.
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Oh, this is so poignant! Outstanding choice of imagery and words, Lisa. Such a touching poem.
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Miriam, thank you. It’s the first time talking about it in a long time.
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This is just BLAMMO GOOD, Lisa. The clarity of tale is perfectly on point & a fine response to the OUTSTANDING PROMPT. Thanks!
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Ron, thank you very much. Will be reading yours soon. Glad you connected with the prompt.
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You have captured both the desperation and the release. Sometimes its hard to tell where one ends and one begins. Pure magic. (K)
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Kerfe, I appreciate your comment, and just sharing it today brings its own relief. <3
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Yes, I can understand that. It needed to be made into a story.
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A sad story for sure, Lisa. It must have been a traumatic time for you and your boys. A great poem.
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Dwight, it was. Things are so much calmer these days. Thank you.
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That is good to know.
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Poignant poem, that third verse spells it out so well…I felt it. Such times in life are choking of spirit, emotion and body. It takes time but you do come to a place of peace eventually. The poor dear, that is so sad.
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Thank you for reading and your comment. It was a very tough time and glad it is in the distant past.
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I liked this, Lisa. It brought memories for me also, with my kids. One of the older twins began failing in school. He had passed all medical testing, eye, nose, ear, and what all. My ex took him to a shrink and part of his therapy was for us as parents to give him more attention. My part was to give him at least an hour one day a week. And, he said to have the other three wanting it also. Their favorite was going on long walks with “just Dad”. Sometimes we would take the BB gun, the three boys liked this the best as it got them out to the edge of town with no houses. Daughter liked it also, but to just talk, no BB gun.
Thank you too, for the nice prompt. I have written quite a few blog posts about signs on my other blog, some on this one.
..
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Jim, thank you very much for sharing your family anecdote. Sounds like you and wife applied the remedy that was needed. You are welcome on the prompt.
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So sad when that has to be done…lovely poem Lisa…not everything can be happy.
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Max, thank you and you’re right, not everything can be happy.
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I’ve been around when something like that happened before…jeez its a terrible feeling.
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At the time I remember feeling how can I explain to my sons why the deer needed to be shot. I remember them being upset for that and that I had no power to save the deer.
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Yea…we didn’t shoot her of course but putting down our last two dogs…killed me. The first one Bailey was 8 years old and he told me…”dont be upset dad she is just sleeping”….that is when I had to explain it to him…heart wrenching…with any animal.
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No pun intended, Lisa, but this poem blows me away!
<3
David
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Pun intended i would say: Oh deer
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Haha! Delighted it resonated for you. One of those times where you look back and are thankful for having gotten through it. Thank you.
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Such a sad event, It has happened to me as well, with the car still at the scene we left it to the driver to wait for the person to end the misery of the poor deer.
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So sorry to hear it, Bjorn. It’s something you never forget.
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I’ve seen deer shot for fun right in front of me, and I feel rage and sorrow every time.
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Oh no, Jane. The cruelty and arrogance of humans knows no bounds.
I really wish my kids hadn’t been there. The feeling of helplessness of walking into such a scenario and a feeling of no happy ending.
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Did they ask why you couldn’t help the deer? I remember being horrified when racehorses were destroyed when they broke a leg.
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the pain and sense of relief is written in every line Lisa – after this sign I hope you found both feet again
p.s. am finding commenting difficult since WP put up all the options which doubles up after login and blankets the page I’m trying to comment on – had to refresh the page!
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Laura, thank you for getting a sense of how bad it was. It’s been a long slow road of heading in the right direction.
Sorry WP keeps throwing hissies. They keep changing things and often make things worse for the users in the process. Some people I have to get to their blog through search and commenting in the reader feed. Almost everybody I have to log on to each time to comment. It’s irritating!
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A heartbreaking incident. But a deed of mercy nevertheless
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Yes. I somehow felt the deer sacrificed herself for me, to ease my anguish.
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🤗🤗🤗
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Surely not everything in life is worth pursuing. Your poem is a fine reminder of the fact.
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Thank you very much.
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Lisa, you have captured the scene perfectly, the despair, the horror and final release beautifully crafted ❤️
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<3 Ange, thank you very much.
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another amazing write Li! :D You have such a talent!
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A very painful memory. I think poetry was meant for catharsis, among many other things. Thank you.
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