By Barbara Jorgen Nance
Under cover of the violet twilight, one can hide in the shadows. I’ve been secretly spying on a small herd of deer. They step ever so gently as they sashay across their earthly carpet. A Lakota Medicine Man I knew once told me to walk like the deer. Long story, but ever since that time I’ve curiously observed the graceful animals every chance I get. Since living in New Mexico these past nine years, we’ve shared our land with many deer. The small herd I’ve been watching are now only faint lavender shadows walking across the ridge. Soon they will vanish over the horizon.
Deer appear to be a little bit gypsy, but their nomadic travel doesn’t seem to cover a huge radius. I’ll see them again. Perhaps there is a fawn hidden away under the scrub oaks near our dry creek bed. The mother doe will hide their young well. The fawn’s reddish coat with white spots, blend in with the underbrush thickets. The fawn will remain quiet and well camouflaged. If one comes upon a hidden fawn, never touch it. If you give human scent, it will make it easier for an enemy animal to find it. Its mother hasn’t forgotten it. It will need milk and wear its spots for around four months.
The mother’s hooves are very sharp and she will pounce on an enemy to protect her fawn. Her graceful, long legs are equipped with sharp weapons! Hmm? So delicate, yet dangerous. Where did that saying “walk softly and carry a big stick” come from? Perhaps it just means to be prepared in life? Perhaps a reminder that looks can sometimes be deceiving? Walk like the deer can have many meanings. Hmm? Worth pondering.
I feel it’s important that we all continue to be students as we sashay through life. As for myself, I will attempt to be a detective, investigating various avenues to travel on the earthly carpet. Life doesn’t always seem to be a picture perfect puzzle where all the pieces fit together. There’s no picture on the box to refer to. There’s no box at all. We might all need the challenge of being little bit gypsy, somewhat daredevil, curious and contemplative. At least, this is my theory. Ponder that.
Most importantly, for myself, I’ve been advised to “walk like the deer"—Gracefully, yet carefully across the earthly carpet. Excuse me as I ponder right off the page once again.