The Rut

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Nature red in blood, claw and tooth

Late September the hills ring with bellows
as stags roar their challenges with gusto
collecting up the does into large herds
ready to give battle to the very death.

Walkers be wary as you too are an intruder
many have been pierced by their sharp antlers
The nine pointer in his full prime paws in anger
this is his land he is master of all he peruses.

No tolerance for the young contender
they briefly spar and the youngster flees
it is not yet his time maybe in a year or two.
The master stag bellows out his triumph.

A rustle in the undergrowth, and a loud crash
heralds  the arrival of another stag in his prime
they meet with a ground shaking crash of antlers
locked in mortal combat they fight for hours.

The ground ripped up and red with their blood
they struggled back and forth, neither yielding 
The challenger now weakened gives ground
as with a final clash he turns and limps off.

The master roars out his victory of this day,
gathering up his does takes them to water.
It will be his sperm this year that is carried on 
His fawns that will rollick and frolic the meadows

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



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Date: 6/12/2015 6:52:00 PM
Lovely piece, a powerful depiction of an awesome and beautiful force of nature. I loved the lines "Walkers be wary as you too are an intruder many have been pierced by their sharp antlers". I almost had such an experience, but was fortunate to get off a warning!
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Date: 6/12/2015 12:17:00 AM
wow, this is great writing. You know a lot about nature, Shadow. Impressive!
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Hamilton Avatar
Shadow Hamilton
Date: 6/12/2015 2:29:00 AM
ty Andrea hugs
Date: 6/11/2015 8:26:00 PM
To see this spectacle is to be in awe, and to read your poem results in the same emotion Shadow! Excellent! 7
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Hamilton Avatar
Shadow Hamilton
Date: 6/12/2015 2:30:00 AM
ty Connie hugs
Date: 6/11/2015 8:23:00 PM
Love the description of the rut, Shadow. What an awesome display you've painted here. . . have you actually seen this in person?
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Hamilton Avatar
Shadow Hamilton
Date: 6/12/2015 2:30:00 AM
sadly no Dave ty hugs
Date: 6/11/2015 12:23:00 PM
Bravo, a 7, a story well described. The master stag fought hard and earned his victory. I think there is a lesson in this somewhere. If you want something bad enough, you have to fight for it, and defend what's yours....I enjoyed your "favorite old poem contest", Shadow. I told you I'd enter one of yours soon, and I did. It was fun. Can't wait to see what you offer next. I learn and grow with each challenge. Take care, Darlene
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Hamilton Avatar
Shadow Hamilton
Date: 6/11/2015 8:00:00 PM
ty Darlene hugs
Date: 6/11/2015 11:10:00 AM
- You let me take a long walk into the woods, Shadow - Into the animal world - a really wonderful poem - a 7 ! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Hamilton Avatar
Shadow Hamilton
Date: 6/11/2015 7:59:00 PM
ty Anne Lise hugs
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