Counterparts

Hamas and Israel have hogged the headlines recently. But there is another war going on, and a final victory will be long in coming. Even at the cabin I am reminded of this.

Counterparts

I

No longer afraid of humans and 

their shouts, the does back away

but don't back down, their fawns

stock still, ears perked.

Images from Ukraine show women

scolding enemy soldiers, nose to nose

as their offspring, rubble-coated,

peer from troubled doorways.

Hardened troops ignore the rebukes,

scan the area, fingers trigger-ready.

II

Late winter stars glow into morning 

but lose to the advancing haze.

Birdcall echos like children begging

for breakfast. Meals: a pocketed crust.

The glazed snow deep enough

for desperate deer to upend bird feeders

and besieged mothers to ferret out

blackmarket hustlers.

Marilyn Aschoff Mellor