名人诗歌|Traveling through the Dark

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^1：

that road is narrow； to swerve^{2 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^3；

she had stiffened^{4 already， almost cold.}

I dragged her off； she was large in the belly^5.

My fingers touching^{6 her side brought me the reason}

her side was warm； her fawn^{7 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^{8 purred the steady engine.}

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

around our group I could hear the wilderness^{9 listen.}

I thought hard for us allmy only swerving^10，

then pushed her over the edge into the river.