the deer are cruel
now that the decision is made
the deer are cruel
to come each day parading
in my yard, nibbling my grass
and treating on the lettuce
and carrots i set out
bobcat stays hidden
but i remember his kitten stage
and the cougar i stepped onto
my back porch and greeted
as startled as he was
though he merely lifted his chin
in haughty pride when i murmured
how handsome he was
i will love the view from
my new apartment but expect
few wild creatures to greet me
on my seventh-floor balcony