Sunset

Hurrying to the shore
to pray away the daylight
and welcome the enfolding twilight,
we missed it -
the big red fireball,
sinking fast behind the trees,
playing peek-a-boo,
and disappearing
like an exhaled breath
beneath the haze-covered horizon.

We missed the view
which we earnestly pursued

Disappointed yes,
but not --
for while the sun slipped silently away,
the deer held us in their gaze
and we beheld them
young
bold
fearless --
daring us to think them more spectacular than the setting sun.