Wayside Mule Deer

A smitten tourist
Pauses helpfully
To photograph deer,
Which reminds others
To drive carefully.

They’re out there. Locals
Grumble, swap stories
Of the nuisances.
Deer—basic staple,
Hunted to remnants,

Exotic a while,
Now common again.
These mule deer were so
Legendary that
Merriweather Lewis

Was put out his corps
Butchered one for food.
At first. Then he found
How not rare they were
And had venison.

Folks love rarity
And scoff at plenty.
Mule deer have been both,
Victims and icons.
It’s doubtful they care.