A Deer Beside the Wildflowers

A Deer Beside the Wildflowers
Yong Wan Choi (07-21-07)

I picked a sprig of wildflowers
and filled an empty vase with fresh water

a lovely nature and shape
the years had tended with care
drenched in the fresh scent of the fields
the face of the season it held

A deer passing by
looking for a place to rest by the open window
in the clear eyes of the deer
that watches the wind's face
a smile fills its heart

When it rises, over the rocks
the deer's years, running the footpaths,
come back from the far valley

Sorry for the petals dropping one by one
onto the bottom of the vase gone dry
the deer turns from its way
dips its feet in the water and stands beside the wildflowers

and in a dream it sees the wide fields left behind
where it ran and played through all four seasons