Abandoned Kill

Thoughts on a abandoned kill Senyru in Twelve

Yesterday I found
A deer on the road's shoulder
Magnificent beast

Missing his glory
Bare ribs shown white gaping wound
Left to rot away

Though of him all day
Last night I went back for him
Struggled to load him

Pulled with all my might
Finally in my truck he lay
Brought him home to rain

Left him overnight
This morning I processed him
Rendering him parts

A deer no longer
Not for human consumption
Lay too long for that

Hungry guardians
Well earned nourishing bonus
They eat well tonight

For a week or more
Bonus added to kibble
Helps fight winters cold

Such a wasted deer
Should not be a total loss
Food and warmth for some

His lonely life done
Head held high new antlers shine
Happy hunting grounds

Soft eyed does watch him
He stands high upon a ridge
Watching spotted fawns

Regally he stands
Restored to former glory
Against rising sun

Author's Note

I don't mind hunting, but abhor waste. This buck was dumped missing only his antlers and the meat from one ribcage. What was left was well over 100 pounds. My decision to bring him home and process him stems from this and from the fact that I have a 8 month old guardian pup that has done really well so far about staying in her boundaries. This buck was outside her boundaries, but well within smelling range and on the side of the main road. No need to risk it . . . or to risk coyotes coming in that close to the sheep and goats.

Reviews

[.]

. wow norma ... this is an out and out masterpiece ... and you use the form to sheer perfection ... but what a tale ... and what a narrative ... you are absolutely brilliant in everything ... the way you respond to the universe ... and the way you write about it in verse ...

[luciddreamer]

Wow...what a write....you know once I hit a deer...and put him in my trunk also...drove a small toyota at the time...stubbornly thought, through my panic,that I could safe him...couldn't...but wished I had thought of better way for him to be put to rest than just burying him...always felt like I wasted him with not only my convenience (car) but also with my inability at the time to think rational at that time...
Peace
Robin

I'm honored that you expressed this story in senryu. As omnivores, we're built to hunt. It's certainly better for everyone, human and animal alike, than the way we get our meat these days. However, we're not meant to kill for the sake of a trophy. Strange that it was at the side of the road if it was intentionally killed. Though I know some poachers use the drive-by method. I would assume the missing meat was the result of scavengers. The way you finished with him being "restored to his former glory" brings tears to my eyes.