Naked Eyes
She should not be standing there
Waiting. The doe upon the pasture.
Today he goes out hunting.
The dogs are ready, and all
The guns polished. Even the boots
Have been scrubbed to look
Like new. They set off happy,
With almost youthful excitement.
They will bring back many
Birds today and the women
Will sigh at their brave efforts,
And cook will be glad
Of the extra meat. The doe
Stands patiently in a clearing
Shafted with sunlight.
He sees her bathing, where,
All the light is falling.
And he is struck, momentarily,
By an overwhelming sense of awe.
Almost, he falters. She turns,
Knowing, she looks at him
And meets his gaze. Those
Naked eyes will surely mean
The death of previous desire.
