When I was six I made my Aunt a card for Christmas. On the card, I wrote “I hope Jesus inspires you!” Or at least, that’s what six-year-old me thought I had written.

What I’d actually said to my beautiful loving Aunt was “I hope Jesus expires you”

My family still won’t let me live it down.

You always look

Just like a deer

Right before you lie

Just like when the headlights appear

I know you’re omitting

All the details that count

When I ask direct questions

And you pretend you can’t recount

I’ve known you too long

To be playing this little game

This time, deer

I think you hit a train

So, goodbye, little deer

Goodbye my little deer

I wish you’d learn better

Than to sprint down that road there

And I’ll miss the times

You’d sneak into my cottage

And keep me warm

Right before you’d disappear

So

Goodbye little deer

Goodbye

My dear

You don’t think

To look before you leap

I’ve known this to be true

Since I was seventeen

We’ve both gotten older now

And I just hate to think

That fawn I’d once fawned over

Is no longer here with me

But

Goodbye little deer

Goodbye

My dear