F-A-W-N

Four letters for: a speckled, spindly-legged
thing awkwarding around the field’s edge,
barbwire fence, raccoon-pawed muddy pond.

Four letters for: how a toady cringes, truckles.
How the sycophant (yes yes yes)
bats lashes, seeks favor, flatters.

Or four for: sycamore spots on a piebald
body, for the little unweaned doe.

Or is it four for: apples on desks, gold
stars, for the parasite, lickspittle.