Chinese New Year

I move away from the New Year’s party.
It is too much for me, the Fireworks,
The Dragon Dance,
Red envelopes and oranges.
I look out the window, thinking
That nobody remembers Qai Lin. Not the way
I do. I bring an orange to my mouth,
Knowing this will not be a lucky year.

There they are.
A Stag, a Doe, and Fawn, curled
Together. In the moonlight.
The Stag is sheltering mother Doe,
Lying in front of the infant. They are silver
In the moonlight, past my window.
Qai Lin, my grandmother! You had told me
The deer are my protector family.

They look at me, leave slowly.
Moonlight flows in drops of silver,
Speckles the Fawn’s back. But I know
That nobody remembers Qai Lin. Not the way
I do. Still she is with me.
This will be our lucky year.