One Day on Earth

A prose poem on life, death and paying attention

I’ve been thinking about how brief life is recently. This poem is a reflection on life and death, brought about through the tragedy of the modern world. The event reminded me to cherish life, however brief, and also to be more aware in our interactions with our surroundings, and to try to notice the little things.

I hope it resonates.

Photo by Erika Fletcher on Unsplash

In memory of a fawn, dead.

I saw you one spring morning, taking your first unsteady steps.
Dappled light fell on dappled spots, blending you in.
Perhaps that is why they didn’t see you?
Your mother, the doe, thought you safe, hidden in the grass. 
I did too.

I observed your curious gaze all day; your day in the sun.
How strange and wondrous the world must have seemed to you. 
The singing birds and vibrant butterflies against blue skies, 
the wind-rustled leaves on trees,
the sparkling water tumbling down the creek.
A corner of a field was your universe.

Then the sound of a rattling engine shook the dew-heavy, evening air.
Steel blades through tall grass. They didn’t see you.
Now you’re dead, and I mourn the loss of a fawn,
who had a mere day to live in this rare world. 
One day on Earth; your whole life.

You still live in my mind, little fawn;
I will live for you the best I can,
feel the sun you no longer feel,
breathe in the scent of damp earth and meadow flowers.
I’ll look up at the stars at night and remember you were here.

I’m sorry.

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This is unfortunately a real tragedy I witnessed, and more common than I knew. As humans we accidentally kill many wild animals, not only through traffic but also through farming and even in managing our own lawns and gardens. Luckily, through people paying attention and caring we keep improving the way these things are done. Through thermal imaging for example thousands of fawns are saved in farmers fields every year.

It’s a stark reminder of how harsh life can be, and our own responsibility to be careful. We have moved far from the natural world, and I hope we don’t forget to pay attention.

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