hunter’s moon

hunter’s moon

hunter’s moon whitewashed

the field in the night

highlighting evergreen boughs

as though laden with snow

leaving little place for a deer

to hide

yet this morning an antlered  buck

pranced through my yard

alive and well

to my relief

arched path of stars

clear night sky

stars seen, not through mist

or haze or light pollution

but sharp, distinct

welcome as childhood friends

when the Milky Way

was near solid path

arching above me