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Bonkers
"To the Interior" by Clara Yu
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Bonkers, the half-tame deer, lost her freedom earlier this year after a jogger complained the doe was harassing him. She was deposited two weeks ago on isolated Savage Island, but took to the water and swam nearly two miles. Once ashore, Bonkers crashed a Fourth of July volleyball game, walked up to Ricky Irwin, licked his hand and ambled off.
—The Burlington Free Press, July 5th, 1987.
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| It was a dew-wet morning, And the sun-streaked wood hummed with silent music. Suddenly that jogger came tumbling down the trail, Lumbering in that awkward gait of man, So much effort, so little grace, so endearing— I lost my head. Feeling a tenderness rising in my chest, I approached him, wanting to show him How to flow with wind, play with air, Dance. All right, I did nudge him gently With my nose, but only to draw his attention To my eyes, to see my harmless passion. For that sin, I was banished to the Savage, Savage Island. Now I am determined: If man must have pomp and ceremony in love, Then I will show them I am a queen, Even if it means, against all my instincts, A two-mile swim. It was Independence Day, A beach party was going on, Sand-stained men and women played volleyball. And there he was, Ricky Irwin, Rising high in mid air, twisting and turning, Slamming down hard on that ball— There was my mark. So I sashayed up to him, Slowly stretched out my slender neck and Licked his hand. Then I ambled off in my long-legged way, Leaving that stunned crowd behind. Oh, Ricky, you shall never be the same again. For, by my kiss, I have made you god. |