Traveling through the dark I found a deer
dead on the edge of the Wilson River road.
It is usually best to roll them into the canyon:
that road is narrow; to swerve might make more dead.
By glow of the tail-light I stumbled back of the car
and stood by the heap, a doe, a recent killing;
she had stiffened already, almost cold.
I dragged her off; she was large in the belly.
My fingers touching her side brought me the reason--
her side was warm; her fawn lay there waiting,
alive, still, never to be born.
Beside that mountain road I hesitated.
The car aimed ahead its lowered parking lights;
under the hood purred the steady engine.
I stood in the glare of the warm exhaust turning red;
around our group I could hear the wilderness listen.
I thought hard for us all--my only swerving--
then pushed her over the edge into the river.
William Stafford
One year, we had a young buck, antlers not yet full-grown, come through
our yard, crazed. There was an arrow in his swollen neck. He stumbled
and weaved, not really understanding what he was doing. He stopped and
looked at us, young Adeline and I (we were in the car, coming up the
driveway). We sat and stared at each other for a while. I felt helpless,
wondering what to do, coming up dry, no coherent ideas in my brain,
just a jumble of questions. Then he ended my questions by stumbling off.
Going somewhere to die, whether he knew it or not.
what a moment rendered in words! and your photo backdrop so perfect. I have always wondered, not out of pacifism or vegetarianism, but out of pure appreciation for a beautiful creature, how people can hunt?! I hope you have not had to see a dead deer recently.
ReplyDeleteHi, Dee. Thanks for your comment. You are the only one! Why? I have not seen a dead deer recently, although I am suddenly seeing live ones. I think they are being disturbed by the town's culling program. I hate that word. And I hate that the town is doing it with no actual proof that it works, along with a considerable amount of data saying it does not work. It reminds me of the years when our children had to be marched through the D.A.R.E. program (a drug awareness program taught by the local police). I hated that too. But, in both cases, speaking up against it identifies you as somehow anti-American. They finally realized that D.A.R.E. wasn't working and they dropped it. Oh, Dee, did you think your nice comment would unleash a rant? Thanks for letting me vent. xo
ReplyDeleteDeer are so majestic, it is shame that they are "culled" like that (I dislike this word as well).
ReplyDeleteCheoy - Thank you for your comment. I think they also are innocent, which makes it so hard to see them hunted.
ReplyDeleteSuch moving words, a sad, though provoking tale. I do hate to sit here in our wee cottage by the edge of the wood and hear the guns when shooting season is upon us. Just sport & my heart aches for those creatures.
ReplyDeletehaving been raised on what meat we could hunt, i understand hunting for food.
ReplyDeletehowever, "culling" (yes, another vote for hating that word) is ethically wrong, in my humble opinion. as is "sport" and "trophy" hunting. there is no majesty. no grace. no conscience in it. to not hunt with intent to live. to kill without thought or consideration beyond the killing, is deplorable and devoid of honor! (stepping of my own soap box and moving aside...)
Joe - I like your soapbox. If you've not already read it, do take a look at Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy, by Matthew Scully.
ReplyDelete