Admirable Stag

Your antlers, as a crown, might be silver now;

It’s hard to tell from down here,

But I just wonder at how

You’ve changed so little.

Just like I remembered, only more perfect

In the imperfections

I’ve come to know all about.

Astonishing.

Amazing that I still recall

How special you were;

How enthralling it was to see you

Coming down the mountain.

It almost makes me forget the heartbreak

Of when I never saw you

Loping down the valley,

Resting by the river.

Of when you would chase me

So I would learn to be faster,

Of when you would nuzzle me, to encourage me to go on.

All the matters now is that you descend

From the lofty realm

To sojourn in the dell

With a fawn like me.

Even so, you must be about your calling,

And you must ascend

Again, and again.

Go. Lead the way.

I’ll follow if I can.