Notes About The Poem

Nature red in blood, claw and tooth

The Rut

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

Poem

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Brown Avatar
June 12, 2015 at 6:52 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!
Dietrich Avatar
June 12, 2015 at 12:17 AM
wow, this is great writing. You know a lot about nature, Shadow. Impressive!
Hamilton Avatar
June 12, 2015 at 2:29 AM
ty Andrea hugs
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 8:26 PM
To see this spectacle is to be in awe, and to read your poem results in the same emotion Shadow! Excellent! 7
Hamilton Avatar
June 12, 2015 at 2:30 AM
ty Connie hugs
Fisher Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 8:23 PM
Love the description of the rut, Shadow. What an awesome display you've painted here. . . have you actually seen this in person?
Hamilton Avatar
June 12, 2015 at 2:30 AM
sadly no Dave ty hugs
Gifford Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 12:23 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
Hamilton Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 8:00 PM
ty Darlene hugs
Andresen Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 11:10 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 :)
Hamilton Avatar
June 11, 2015 at 7:59 PM
ty Anne Lise hugs
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