The br Deer br ran, br heavy hoofbeats br churning the br earth to br fear br and mirth and br laughter, br eyes wild br with something more br then br terror. br br An acceptance. br br Yet you ran, br knowing you could not br outrun the other, br knowing you would lose br and fall- br knees hitting mud, br pitching forward, br a br stick in the sand. br br Run, she breathes, br already blood-stained br paws eager br for the race. br Run (again) br she breathed, br smoky breath rolling over br a lolling grin, br puffs of steam. br br Yet you run, br falling and moving br faster, br brown-fawn coat br slick with sweat, br too-heavy antlers br thin with only a few tines, br desperate for br the fininsh line... br br 910 the hunter br loses br having to turn away. br She's lucky today............ br br You. br LEAP, br fall on a pines rough bark. br br The sun is high, br glittering off the shiny needles, br evergreen. br br You look up, br in wonder at the orb. br Eagles and cheetah's would br lose to it. br br Bloodstained paws stomp br nearer, br eager for a meal. br br He stares, br caught in wonder.