The doe steps out of the woods
Sees me then stops
And watches
I stop and wave her forward
As if deer knew “go” signs
And I watch
The doe steps across the path
Stares me down
And waits
I think—You are safe—
(As if deer can read minds)
And I wait
The doe’s white tail twitches
And out steps her fawn
And I watch the spotted child
Play-prance on the path
Nuzzle its tender mother
Their shuddery bodies wed
And they vanish
About Eugene Jones Baldwin
I am a writer: non-fiction, fiction, journalism (Alton Telegraph), essays (The Genehouse Chronicles) and have a website: eugenebaldwin.com. I've published a couple dozen short stories and had eleven plays produced. Current projects: "Brother of the Stones" (available on Kindle), a book of short stories; "The Faithful Husband of the Rain, short stories"; "A Black Soldier's Letters Home, WWII,;" "There is No Color in Justice," a commentary on racism; "Ratkillers," a new play.
I am an avocational archaeologist and I take parts of my collection of several thousand Indian artifacts (personal finds) to schools, nature centers, libraries etc. and talk about the 20,000 year history of The First people in Illinois. (See link to website)
I'm also a playwright (eleven plays produced), musician, historian (authority on the Underground Railroad in Illinois, the Tuskegee Airmen) and teacher.