Michael Sikkema

Watch for Deer

and listen close under 

your new skin as you crouch 

and creep hoping to learn 

at least a few of their words

Watch for Deer

in potions in cures in velvet

in medians in hindsight in

stories where they’re killed

bones thrown in the water

so that they can come back

around on the wheel

get right back to grazing

Watch for Deer

watch for deer, the bright one who follows

the moon into the field, antlers growing inches

with each step and its shit landing 

with the music of wind chimes

Watch for Deer

watch for deer

can just mean 

I love you

Watch for Deer

A clear night 

the 12-point steps 

into the spotlight 

of the dollar 

store parking lot 

and pukes up 

a fortune in gold coins

Read other poems from this series and learn more about “Watch for Deer.”

Michael Sikkema has a chapbook forthcoming from Sigilist Press, entitled Scarecrow I'm a Story and Three Fish, as well as a chapbook forthcoming from Cul-De-Sac of Blood, entitled Watch for Deer. He enjoys Roger Corman films (RIP), Troma Films (WTF), and various Sword and Sworcery Films (LOL). He listens to horror scores to relax, just like you.