Profanation

Placid and composed looked the deer,
Alone on the lawn of his dreams,
At ease and far from sensing fear

Unaware of the hunter’s spear,
Grazing as if in a daydream
Placid and composed looked the deer,

Confident all around was clear:
The meadow, the wood, and the stream,
At ease and far from sensing fear

Oblivious to danger near,
Softly wading across the stream,
Placid and composed looked the deer

Where the willow leaves drop their tears
Drinks the alpha stag in the stream,
At ease and far from sensing fear

Bow and arrow aimed at the deer,
A target shot stops the bloodstream
Placid and composed looked the deer,
At ease and far from sensing fear

---

José L Recio, born and raised in Spain, left for the United States at a young age and practiced medicine in California. He also developed an interest in creative writing. In 2021, he published “Transitions: twenty-four bilingual short stories,” and in 2025, “Uncertain Paths.” He has also written several short memoirs, essays, and poems. He and his wife currently live in Madrid, Spain.