Double nods

Thick ice covered the gravel path

so I trudge in the frozen swamp

amidst the trampled grass reeds

pushing aside the suckered branches

about my knee caps

capturing my hands and mind

No longer afraid of falling

I roam the terrain

usually reserved for

deer, coyote, ducks,

cormorants, heron, and

red-winged blackbirds

I stop to rest and

catch the eyes

of two fawns, double nodding

their heads to me

bobbing twice in reply

I turn and follow my snow prints

And return to the glassy path

smiling as I pass

a red-cheeked baby and mom

adding "Are you saying

'hello' to the deer," and

they double nod back to me.