The Deer

I met him at the river, each claiming an opposite bank

two who come for promise and two who leave in thanks

I for the quiet and solitude and he for a morning drink

One to take inherited ground, and one to sit and think

We have met before, though always keeping to our own

He belonging to the place, because it was his home

He did not seem to ever mind, my coming or my stays

but I was always mindful, not to interupt his ways

I had mastered a stillness, that he expected from me

It is warranted of travelers, when meeting royalty

I sat on my appointed bank and he in turn, took rest

Each upon the rivers grass, an antlered king and guest

I stared upon his regal pose, across the wet divide

he turned in royal splendor, goodbye from the other side

We shared some time at a river, together leaving thanks

all because of a river allowed us opposites banks.