The Hunt Poem by C R Clark

As I ascend the oak
And find my place among its boughs
This day has yet to see the sun
And it’s luminescent rays
The dark, the solitude of night,
The beating of my heart in
Hope’s anticipation
Stirs a fervor in my soul
The frosty breath of autumn air
Enlivens me
My spirit soars
A coyote calls, a chase begins
Reliving natures way
Then, sudden stillness tells the tale
Of predator and prey
At last, light pierces darkened space
And dances on the forest floor
To the rhythm of branches,
Swaying in the breeze
And, the forest comes alive
With songbird calls
And crows, so close, I hear
The “whoosh” from flapping wings
The “ rustle” in fallen leaves,
The familiar chatter of a squirrel
And I, perched high above this scene
Am silent, as I watch and wait
I have been ordained
A player, in this primal drama
My presence here is natural
As is, that of the puma
As he lies in wait to seize his prey
I am “drinking in” the nectar
Of the bounty God supplies
As I savor every second
In these splendid nature halls
And in this wondrous moment
I am thankful for this gift,
For my inherent right to be here
And this great tradition claim
So if, by chance, as at other times,
There will be no score today
My plate, indeed, was full
I have feasted on the main course
More, would surely be dessert

Copyright C R Clark-4/15/2000