Traveling through the Dark

　　by William Stafford

　　 Traveling through the dark I found a deer

　　 dead on the edge of the Wilson River road.

　　 It is usually best to roll them into the canyon：

　　 that road is narrow； to swerve might make more dead.

　　 By glow of the tail-light I stumbled back of the car

　　 and stood by the heap， a doe， a recent killing；

　　 she had stiffened already， almost cold.

　　 I dragged her off； she was large in the belly.

　　 My fingers touching her side brought me the reason

　　 her side was warm； her fawn lay there waiting，

　　 alive， still， never to be born.

　　 Beside that mountain road I hesitated.

　　 The car aimed ahead its lowered parking lights；

　　 under the hood purred the steady engine.

　　 I stood in the glare of the warm exhaust turning red；

　　 around our group I could hear the wilderness listen.

　　 I thought hard for us all--my only swerving，

　　 then pushed her over the edge into the river.