Christmas Eve, Almost Midnight

Driving through the mist after delivering

packages, I come upon a family of deer

walking down the middle of the street.

I cut my lights and engine and coast

behind them awhile.  They are cruising

the neighborhood, nibbling the frosty lawns,

looking for Nasturtiums.  I glide behind them

around a corner and down another street,

the only sound the crunching of newly-formed ice

beneath my tires, until they disappear onto the dark,

soggy soccer fields of the middle school.

I tell you I can count on one hand

the number of times I've been happier.

© copyright 2007 David Denny

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Published in "The Sun"

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