Unicorn 7

This forest glade, mossy, silent underfoot, shaft of sunlight catching the quivering flight of woodland moths, tempts even the shyest, slender deer whose slightest nostril twitch, reveals a whole forest’s map; the crackle of a single twig, a disappearing, graceful leap; yet even the deer graze undisturbed when in a thought’s space, that creature’s there; for not proximity but presence, is what they share; each, in peace, moves in the other’s presence; this we know as peace. and on the high hills where the air is ever on the move, the eagle, circling like the first navigator of the globe – yet seeing so much more – glances undisturbed; with knowledge, and love, too, that’s beyond family, or prey, when that strange, familiar white creature with flowing mane, prances, canters, into sight; their presence shared so far apart; so near. and in the foamy waves, the dolphins leap and sport around it, as that creature, open-mouthed as if in joy, shakes from its wet and glorious mane the salty drops of water, while the dolphins speak to it in a language beyond beauty’s sound – so this noble creature in its turn undisturbed by those to whom it shows itself beyond all perturbations of the world; detached, yet gives itself to all; Orpheus, or unicorn, or Muse – to be led by such a creature, joyously, knowing nothing of the where or here or there but trust – this the poetry of the world.