This is my first post for Poetic Bloomings, begun as a joint venture by Marie Elena and Walt, two of the first poets I met at Poetic Asides. Their story is unique in that they have never actually met – but collaborate often. They are seeking poems of beauty and goodness; they post prompts. They are accentuating the positive, so I’m probably the last person they will expect to see, LOL. Peace, Amy
Deer One
She drifts blithely through the trees
just beyond our parking lot.
She is the only, lonely deer of Tenney Park,
situated between apartment complexes which
must seem to her monoliths inhabited by aliens.
I call her Deer One.
Neighbor Lynne, soft spot for all living things,
feeds her birdseed, her snack of choice.
I know they say we should not encourage species
to live where they should not be, but frankly:
She was here first. We built around her habitat.
She is a Native American.
The other day, I spied Deer One
and she spied me.
We froze in one of those moments of
curiosity (mixed with dread on her part, perhaps).
I backed into my apartment and retrieved
the ripest apple I could find and,
gently,
rolled it across the parking lot.
It skipped the curb, landing at her feet.
I could swear she smiled at me!
I went to my car, humming, “When I See An Elephant Fly.”
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
liv2write2day
Big smile.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Liv. I loved writing this one!
vivienne Blake
Gorgeous prose poem. Thank you for that rare glimpse.
Sharp Little Pencil
This made me happy – the event itself, as well as composing the poem. She’s a lovely doe. Thanks, Viv! A
booguloo
Good for you!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Michael. Some folks say you shouldn’t feed deer, but this little doe is so lonely and it’s an isolated place. Until she finds her “crew,” we are keeping her in reasonable shape. Amy
Kim Nelson
I love this one, Amy. Bright. Real. Upbeat. A beautifully painted view.
Sharp Little Pencil
I figure once in a while, I really owe the universe some positive, uplifting poetry. It’s just so darned hard to come by in my head, but this one is true, and truth is truth, scrubby or pretty! Thanks so much, Amy
Marie Elena
Amy, this is absolutely lovely! I wish you could see all the deer in the metropark where Keith and I walk. Hundreds. They will come right up, as they don’t need to be concerned for their safety. We are beginning to get some from time-to-time in our yard now.
Thank you for visiting Poetic Bloomings, for your kind mention here, and for your sweet comments to Paula. The interviews are my favorite part of PBs. =)
Sharp Little Pencil
Marie, you and Walt are doing a lovely job managing the blog. If it’s OK to keep leaving links, I’ll keep coming back.
Paula is a complicated, wonderful woman. You brought out the very best of her in your interview, really impressed with your style. I will try to keep up with PB prompts and see what blooms!
God bless, and peace to you and yours, Amy
Debbie
They are going to love this one! I loved it too!
Sharp Little Pencil
I have a feeling! Thanks so much, Debbie. You always brighten my day.
Old Egg
I loved this. It reminded me of my difficult relationship with an Australian Raven many years ago. It didn’t trust me and sure as eggs I didn’t trust him as his beak was so threatening. We had built on his domain. So patiently I offered him some tiny meaty bits (not myself). I usually gave up after some time just holding out the treat before showing him where it was on the ground. It took many weeks before he dared to eat of my hand. The elation when he did so was muted as I dare not utter a sound. Later he let me talk to him as I fed him. I think he wanted to say that I was the first human he trusted.
Thanks for your visit to Chloe and Jim. I love flawed characters being one myself they are so much easier to write about.
Sharp Little Pencil
Rob, I can relate to the Raven – and it’s good of you to own the fact that yes, you were on “his turf,” but you managed to make a friend. A lovely story of perseverance of both you and the raven. (“meaty bits – not myself” cracked me up!)
And yes, Chloe and Jim. I feel like I have known them forever, so close are they to people I have known, in different ways. Our flaws, our quirks, are what make us unique. They are what make us human. Peace, Amy
MiskMask
Lovely. 😀 It’s really special when a connection is made like that, eh?
Sharp Little Pencil
Look down further for Old Egg’s story of the raven on his property! Same type of connection. Love it!! A
brian
smiles. very cool…we have a family of 7 deer that live in our back yard….
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, I wonder if our doe would like to have more company – at some point, she will probably be relocated away from our semi=park and into the woods. She’d have a better life, methinks, and a safer one… Thanks Brian! Amy
Laurie Kolp
Amy~ This is as gentle and kind as a deer. Such a sweet ending, too.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Laurie. You are one for whom I felt a debt to write something upbeat for a change! This doe is such a sweetie, but very shy. Thanks, hon, Amy
Alice Audrey
Hey, I like you as an upbeat poet. This is fun.
Sharp Little Pencil
You know, I consciously had to channel my Manic to get some fun stuff out. Feeling good after the humid days surely did help. Thanks, AA! ALB
Sherry Blue Sky
I so love this!
Sharp Little Pencil
I knew you would. Made me think of your companionship with nature in general. I’m kind of hoping she makes her way out of the apartment-surrounded, shrinking park and to a real family of deer… Love, Amy
madeleine sara
Cute, love the build up of story in this piece and the finale. :O)
Sharp Little Pencil
So glad you liked it, Madeleine! Thanks, Amy