The sign says no running or jogging
But the deer can't read and don't care
Acting as if the path was made for them
Stepping aside for me reluctantly
The sign says no picking or digging up plants
But the deer disregard the rules for people
Eating whatever vegetation they fancy
Leaving aside the ones they don't like
The deer share a common aversion
With those who detest the invasives
But the deer distaste has the opposite effect
Making the unwanted plants proliferate
The sign says it's a nature preserve
Meant to be kept as habitat for native species
And the deer qualify on that account
But their numbers devour too many valued plants
Looking into their curious but wary eyes
Making a connection with another sentient being
Certainly I would not wish to harm them
Because who are we to find fault in numbers
We who are so much more numerous
We who occupy their original habitat
We who exterminated their predators
Other than people that is
I wish the sign could be revised
Pick only invasive plants and remove them
Leaving alone all the native plants
Helping maintain the nature preserve
