At That Exact Moment

The doorbell clanged

To reveal a doe, not much older than myself

Ears sharp, eyes bright

She squeaked a pleasantry in perfect English 

And darted across the store

I thought it was strange

but it would be foolish to decline a sale 

A weighty exhale escaped her body

As she inhaled Bourbon Maple Sugar™ and Peppermint™

When had she last truly been alone?

The branch beneath her splintered

My son has just gotten sick in the car she called 

I looked up in time to see the white tip of her tail

Peace On Earth deferred 

I wondered how many mothers 

At that exact moment 

Sucked back their fullest exhale

To gift a fawn the life from their lungs

All over the world