The Hunt (Free Verse Poetry)
Posted: Friday, April 17, 2009
by Gary W. Halsey Sr.
All Season Karaoke and D.J.
The smell of early morning musk,
thick fog hangs in the forest
as everything awakens.
There is a chill in the air.
It will be awhile before the
sun peeks through.
All is quiet, except for the
occasional squirrel scurrying up the tree,
seeking shelter in its hideout.
The hunter is waiting quietly for his prey,
ensuring that he is downwind of his
perspective target.
He listens as the forest starts to awaken.
Birds begin to chirp
at the first morning light,
flying to the forest floor
to pluck the biggest worm or
insect for its young.
Ground hogs peek out from their
burrows, sitting on their mounds,
as they are guardians of the forest,
at the first sign of danger,
the whole forest will know.
The hunter waits patiently,
as though he is frozen in time.
He waits, he listens, he thinks.
He hears a twig snap, as the ground hogs
disappear back into their burrows.
He strains to see through the mist,
"what is there"? He thinks to himself.
He slowly but deliberately
raises his rifle, and looks around
through the lens of his scope.
A small fawn jumps from the shadows,
as its mother is not far behind.
The hunter disengages the safety
on his rifle; his muscles tighten
with anticipation, would this be it?
mother along side, and as the hunter
peers through his scope, he spots
the huge 8-point buck. He begins to sweat;
his heart beats a more rapid rhythm.
As he gazes through his scope
at the beautiful buck, the buck gazes back,
what a magnificent animal
the hunter thought. How can I do this?
What he had done so many times before?
Well, he couldn't.
The doe and fawn were there.
How could he ruin this family unit?
He slowly lowered his rifle,
thinking of his own family,
tears running down his face,
the hunter would never hunt again.
The trio disappeared back into the forest,
the buck looking cautiously around them
as he glanced at the hunter as though
to protect. They vanished forevermore.
by gary1hal
Author's Comments:
"My second attempt at "free verse" and yes, I was a hunter. When I was younger. but as I grew older, I think that my values changed, and I learned lifes valuable lesson, "To Live, And Let Live". Life is Precious."
Very nice, Gary. Lots of emotion.Thanks Ken, I am glad you liked it, I am really a conservationist now, and I guess life had taught me a little lesson. I am glad you could feel the emotion in this, that is what I was shooting for.....and thanks for being such a pal......and for the comment, Your fan, and friend, .........Gary.....I see you got the 2nd part of your story, so I will make sure to stop by and read it, I liked the 1st one too.....I will check it out.....
I got my first and only deer when I was 14 years old "what a thrill" But I never go hunting anymore I lost all interest in it. I still like going for walks in the woods though. good article GaryDavid, I am with you on the walks instead of the hunts.....they are just to beautiful, especially when you see the "whole family", I just couldn't do it......Thanks for taking the time to read, and comment, I see you have some new stuff out, I will check it out....I really have to start making my rounds again.....your fan, and friend, Gary
