Dawn spreads a blush of light

across heather.

A glint of sun catching low water

lapping night-damp shingles

Black-thorn trembles as spiders wake

to traverse dew daubed webs.

Street lamps shut tired eyes;

the moths, confounded,

vanish in a trice.

Indigo dissolves to gold

as the horizon lowers shadows,

umbra to some Western paradise

not yet ready for its pristine day.

But here

the bracken fronds uncurl,

stretch to the sun.

New antlers raised, wary eyes

alert the young deer to this morning.

He steps with caution

knowing all too well

that ills can savage heels

without a warning

on this new, bright day.