Luckily

A rustle in the tall grass
a few feet away from where
I bent and weeded.
The rabbit froze,
oval eyes huge and wide.

A bolt of joy
near knocked me over.
Luckily I’ve practiced
joy, Tai Chi too, so I
stayed like a stooped statue.

We gaped at one another.
Alien! Kin! Alien! Kin.
Luckily I’m old enough,
so after a heartstopping moment,
I could  recognize a familiar.

Luckily I was in the carrot row .
At a snail’s pace, I bowed lower,
and slowly pulled  from the soft wet earth
a bright orange wonder,
set it gingerly down. And backed away.

Forward, the rabbit took a cautious step.
I took another backwards.
And while I noticed the length of its ears – a hare!,
the lacey green of the carrot top
disappeared into its mouth.

In an instant the hare had vanished
back into the grasses, making me ask,
Did all this really happen?
I cannot myself be sure.
And have no need to be but grateful.

©Susa Silvermarie 2026