Three inches of light snow
Waiting to be shoveled
Only to clear a path to the bird feeder
Adeptly I one-hand it using my foot as an aid
Carry in my other hand apple peels, scraps and
A container of nuts and seeds which I empty
Into the feeder spreading the rest down below
The deer usually come there to look for scattered seed
Tonight there are two and the big one finds the peels
Cortland and Macintosh taste pretty good
The yearling just watches
Rules are rules and you don’t mess with the big guy
Especially while eating is going on
The ever vigilant deer get spooked and run away
Several minutes later they return
The big one finishes the scraps and moves on
There is no compassion for the other
Who went without
Survival of the fittest is the rule of this realm
One wonders why they care when they watch this behavior
Guilt can settle in if you make no attempt to share
The deer have no capacity for this feeling
Enough given for an army of two and only one benefits
No thanks are offered, no nods of appreciation
Tomorrow they will return and scratch and dig
They will not feel disappointment when nothing is there, but
Just move on to survive somewhere
We treat each other graciously at times
But you can see anger and meanness
Certain rights have been assumed and then trampled
By someone who feels more deserving
Life goes on and I need not worry
There are things you cannot control
I will perform as well as I can without
Treading on anyone’s dreams
Steve Haarman aka Stanski
January 7, 2021 ^
Steve Haarman 