antlers

In the dark room
Down the hall
A moose scared
Himself
When his antlers
Fell off
Before he was ready

It didn’t hurt
It was just unexpected

The door was locked
And unlocked
Many times
With observers
Taking note
Of his every breath
Wondering if the antlers
Would be worth anything
On the black market
Now that breeding season
was over

But it was easier
For the moose
To leave the room now
Without the burden
Of useless antlers
So he jumped out the side window
And no one chased after him