Traveling Through the Dark

Traveling Through the Dark - William Stafford

Traveling through the dark I found a deer
dead on the edge of the Wilson river road
it is usually best to roll them into the canyon
that road's narrow; to swerve might make more dead.

By glow of the tail-light I stumbled back of the car
and stood by the heap, a doe, a recent killing;
she had stiffened already, almost cold
I dragged her off; she was large in the belly

My fingers touching her side brought me the reason
her side was warm, her fawn lay there waiting
alive, still, never to be born
beside that mountain road I hesitated.

the car aimed ahead its lowered parking lights
under the hood purred the steady engine
I stood in the glare of the warm exhaust turning red
around our group I could hear the wilderness listen.

I thought hard for all of us - my only swerving -
then pushed her over the edge into the river.