A Four-Inch Brown Rabbit Poem by Dennis Ryan

Monday morning, June 19,2017 at 9: 34 a.m.; Thursday morning,
June 22 at 7: 52 a.m.

"Most wild rabbits live for less than one year..."
"Wild Rabbits", Rabbitmatters

Last night, a four-inch brown rabbit appeared amidst leaves
and other cover, under a low bush next to a side road that I walk—
I heard a rustle, and looked, and there it was, on its haunches,
its dark eyes looking at me below tiny brown ears as darkness
descended.Where is your mother, the warren? I asked softly,
several times, in vain, while looking down in all directions.
This four-inch brown rabbit was alone, learning how to survive.
(All of life is like this—cruel, arbitrary.)I stood with this tiny doe
for five minutes or so though I had other things to do, wanting
to bring my exercise to an end—yet I lingered, in protective mode,
continuing to speak to the rabbit in a low, comforting voice, and it,
in turn, listening attentively—or so it seemed to me.Then it moved,
only an inch or two away, at an acute angle, its gaze still on me.
And I thought of my two sons—how such attachments never cease—
and then—I walked, finally turning my head in the road's direction.