I took a walk today
to clear my mind
and take in the world.

I pondered about
my life as I listened
to a playlist of songs
meant to carry me
in the quiet moments.

I stumbled, thinking
about you as a song
from a past love
(yet not love)
came on.

It made me laugh
and question
my line of thought
about you —
and that’s when I saw her.

She and her fawn,
enjoying the shade
of deciduous trees,
stared at me,
a clunky hiker.

I paused and smiled,
happy to share a moment.
As I slowly moved
to take a picture, I spooked
her and her babe.

The motion,
the desire to make a
moment in time last longer,
cut short the time I had.

I felt near shameful
for changing the energy
of the situation.

As I moved forward,
listening to a different song
and finding myself lost in a meadow,
I forgot what it was
that made me think of you.

I did think, however,
how peaceful it would be
to take shelter in that meadow
amongst the sumacs and blackberries
with the sun beating down
and a feather in my hat.