despite
the wretched deer
in their aesthetic
   gluttony
and rabbits overwhelming
all smaller than they
   the first rose
rises in the new
season surviving
   even me
and the reliable neglect

i walk the field at twilight
when all around is in between
air always moving more and fresh
as machines of the day die down

today i passed beneath an older
tree as i am wont to do, hearing
the songs of birds while watching
rabbits stare and race and a branch
never before there pushed down
on the top of my head like a slap
and i looked but it wasn't there
and i laughed at the absurdity
and gall this tree i've known
all my life had to impel me on

so i took the tree's advice 
and returned along the way
with a big smile thinking
how wonderful it is having
family still be near and dear