Fawn in Headlights

Paige Cavaness

for my mother

I am a fawn in the headlights, whatever shall I do?

My friends of the woodland tell me I’ll be fine,
The robin shows me how to skim the yellow and make it out in time.

I am a fawn in the headlights, whatever shall I do?

The shadows in the forest his and beckon ‘stay’.
They tell me if the lights should hit me, that they’d come out and play:
Me, joining them on their wild ride throughout the woodland fray.

I am a fawn in the headlights, whatever shall I do?

Instinct tells me I should sit and wait with my eyes reflecting iridescent hues;
I know too soon, I will have to choose

I am a fawn in the headlights, whatever shall I do?

My friend’s of the woodland, even with all of Robin’s might…
I know it is not his guidance which will lead me through the night.

The shadows with their grins and melancholy dreams,
Wish to mislead me and rip me from my seams.

As far as instinct? I am blind,
Experience an untraveled globe in a child’s mind.

I am a fawn in the headlights, whatever shall I do?

I hear nothing, see nothing as the lights grow ever brighter…
The fatal spark to a hunter’s lighter?

And then something happens, after all the indecision.
I see my mother’s tail, forward in my vision.

I see her bound up and down and then into the field.
A mother’s love, always a constant shield.

So yes, I am a fawn in the headlights. Whatever shall I do?

Mom, because of trust, I will always follow you.