in the early morning

a lone deer
stands in the woods
along the bike path.
silent and still,
he watches me as I ride
by.
unmoving.
not knowing which direction
to go,
a feeling I well know.
the trees are full
around the stream.
it's just me and him
on this early morning spin.
he watches
as I disappear around
the turn,
crossing the steel bridge,
into the rise
of pavement,
towards home again.