Anthony Cronin had a new poem published on the Sunday Independent yesterday.

Safe From Harm

In Richmond Park as darkness falls
The deer lie down to rest,
The stags, as every night, apart
To north and south and west.

Males who in grave and adult pride
Will keep the herd from harm,
Raising their heavy antlered heads
At any slight alarm.

A notice on the roadside gate
Warns of a cull at dawn.
With rifles men will come to kill,
Workmanlike, doe and fawn.

The stags will look on helplessly
For all their strength and pride'
While coolly and uncaringly
Their care is brushed aside.