The White Hart Poem by Josephine Dunn

The white hart and his does
Running wild is all he knows,
Has the pleasure freedom gives,
But hunted down where e’re he lives.
Can’t escape by blending in,
Distinctive colour marking him.
Finds that he must run so fast
Lest today should be his last.
Does gather round his back to protect
Vulnerable flanks and outstretched neck.
Responsibility follows hard at heels,
The love that raise awesome wheals.
When hunter’s arrow its mark doth find
Is the sacrifice white hart or youngest hind?
What choices hard we have to make
When death causes hearts to break.

June 2002