The Buck

The light is fading, evening breaks
Between the oaken woods and lake,
It's time to finish with the row
And homeward bound, the trail to take.

With rake in hand I turn to go
To find my pick axe and the hoe,
When from the trail there ran a buck
And right behind him came two doe.

At first I thought, what rotten luck!
I left my rifle in the truck,
Then, as he stopped to look my way
He gave his tail a flip and tuck.

And then he spun and bounced away
The doe behind him sleek and grey,
Crashing through the brush and vine
Into the woods and welcomed shade.

He must have sported twenty tine
I thought as Shadow starts to whine,
Asking, should he give him chase?
I pat his head in soft decline.

The sun is gone upon my face
To lose the buck is no disgrace,
Although today I've been undone
There'll be another time and place.

Today the buck has rightly won
The hunters gone, the season done,
Perhaps we'll meet again next year
Before the season's had it's run.

The buck was ancient, and I fear
He may not see another year,
But then, another year is seldom clear
For man, or dog, or antlered deer.


                     Timothy I. Brumley
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Wesley Avatar
September 9, 2011 at 12:10 PM
So glad you didn't shoot him Tim, your wildlife pictures capture my heart. I have to read every one as your verse is perfection dear friend. Magnificent talent!
Brown Avatar
November 10, 2010 at 9:21 AM
Congratulations on your poetry X3 making it through the first round of the Poetrysoup site contest Timothy. The best to you in the finals. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
November 10, 2010 at 4:43 AM
Congrats Timothy on your poem being selected in the first round of competition in the P.S. contest luv.. good luck in the next phase ...
Culverhouse Avatar
July 4, 2010 at 10:45 AM
very nice!! those buggers eat up every thing I try to grow in my yard unless I put wire around it. My husband kills them like crazy.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace