Gnosis, 12 AM
By
Jennifer Angelina Petro
A deer stepped from the side of the house
As I sat in my car talking to a friend on the phone.
It stopped, trying to place my voice in the darkness.
I told my friend what was happening
And ended the call.
I met its eyes, the moon leaned in.
After a moment, the deer stomped one front hoof
On the stone walkway, much like a horse would do,
And disappeared into the night.
It occurred to me as I sat looking at its after image:
I too move in and out of the shadows,
I too pause to observe that which I don’t understand,
I too attempt to place my voice in the darkness,
I too have ways of telling the world—I might be quiet
And some might say, timid—but I too can stomp my foot
And disappear never to be seen again.