“After the Rain”  |  Anthony Satori

Not long after the fires were gone, the rain came, bringing renewed fertility to the earth.  Grass began to grow again on the floor of the valley.  Wide expanses of bright green blades began to sprout up, rising literally from the ashes, like a phoenix from the flame, like a second springtime in the heart of December. 

Soon to follow, out from the hills, there ventured a small family of deer, timidly exploring the newly lush landscape.  They explored shyly at first, but quickly grew confident and eager, feeling an intense hunger arise from within them.  It was not long before they abandoned all restraint and feasted ravenously on the freshly grown grass until they could eat no more.

Given even the slightest chance, life always finds a way.