What Will I Remember?

What will I dream about?

The last shot of the day,

the season at 4:00 o'clock

when three deer came out of the sun

across the top of the hill

heading towards a tree stand

I had found.

They came and stopped,

then moved, 

taking them out of the sunlight,

put them more into it.

I drew on the first 

but the last one started to raise her tail

move her ears and stomp

I shot. 

Too soon! 

Stayed still,

but could not reload 

fast enough

They walked away 

across the upper bowl of the valley.

I never hunt without

learning something.

I have already

dreamed and seen 

that scene a dozen times —

it will stay with me until next season

to see

if I will know any more then

than I did the other day

the last day

the last shot

when deer walked away.

-Byron Hoot

https://hootnhowlpoetry.com

I SURRENDER

A Poem by PHILIP KENT CHURCH

~

After being born again, I wanted to fight for God, see the war won,

But, after fighting for what I saw as right, I tired of the damage done.

 

Though I'd been a strong warrior against the world's evils that I sensed,

Defending God and church, in my righteous cause completely convinced.

The fruit of my labor wasn't joyful, peaceful or loving - facts uneasily dismissed.

After behaving and believing best I could, apparently - something had been missed.

 

Well-versed in the Word, I'd sought the full armor to, as a "Christian Soldier," stand,

But I realized I was desiring my own trophies, I hadn't been humble under command.

Though it meant placing my personal aspirations, what I desired, upon the shelf,

I had to become willing - no matter what the cost - to God's will . . . surrender myself!

 

First and foremost, I learned that my feud wasn't with others, the judge is God above,

Though I might be persecuted for it, my first duty to God and neighbor – was a ‘real love.’

That all I was to do and say must be from love, knowing, even in death, God would mend me,

Though there be things I desired and saw as ‘right,’ I'd do God's will - go where He'd send me.

 

I had to humble myself with a will, if required - to be “last” and serve others every day,

And if I became confused - not seek my own, but recall that Jesus is the truthful way.

Though I might not be popular, successful or politically regarded to suffice,

I'm only a foot-soldier in love's Army - my life forfeited - and bought with a price!

 

Sometimes there's a way that seems right, even in what some Christians try to render,

But it must be God's way - He is our commander to whom ourselves, we must -

 . . . SURRENDER!

16 Ways to Poke Yourself in the Eye

                 1

All this stuff about time

and reality!  How much

I miss pretending 

I’m thinking at all.

               2

The curse of too many words;

the curse of too few.

I’d like to live between the two.

             3

I read and read and read;

don’t know how to think.

Thoughts come, say, “We’re

Here.  Got you covered.” 

           4

I keep a nice yard.

No merit for paradise;

only a nicely trimmed

soul will get me in.

          5

Self-discipline is over-

rated.  It is the only 

ignorance I truly know.

         6

“Know the rules so 

they can be broken!”

Nothing gets broken 

anymore.

         7

I shoot the bow 

to lose and find

myself – I barely

hit the target.

         8

I say I know nothing 

of prayer, pray all 

the time, know they’re

answered when I hear,

“Thank you.”

         9

I gave my heart away.

Don’t want it back.

Keep it forever.

         10

My parents are dead.

I keep seeing and hearing

them.  That line between

pretty thin.

        11

My body aches.

My soul sighs.

Who am I to believe?

       12

It is Sunday.

The wind blows as if

it’s Monday. What 

do I know of time?

      13

When I was born I 

had no dreams I’d

be this way.

      14

My parents were 

people of the word.

I am their son.

     15

I have nothing

left to give but 

myself – it’s taken

70 years to figure that out.

       16

People speak of goals.

I laugh.  I prefer being

drawn out by dreams.

     Epilogue 

Tomorrow I may see

more of my follies:

more laughter, more tears,

more dreams gathered around me.

-Byron Hoot

 hootnhowlpoetry.com

And I’m Alright with That

I am seeing a lifetime in the time 

ahead of me. Which hones my sword

of Solomon to what others may consider

a murderous edge.  I have made

some cuts I regret and yet because

I’ve wielded that sword there are many

I’ve never had to make.  The trick 

is in the willingness to use it.

The practice it takes to hold 

lightly that which shapes 

Destiny and Fate  – 

a lifetime to gain the strength

and dexterity that must be 

sought and fought for before 

it is given.  Tomorrow means

one more, one less day

and I’m alright with that.

-Byron Hoot

Not Otherwise

The flight formation of birds 

is a wild symmetry with 

the beauty of space filled 

by what could not be otherwise

in that second of eternity

making us smile.  Some tinge

of hope arises seeing birds 

in flight.  Their songs, of course,

are another thing and how they

perch on branches as easily 

as we take a step.  What would

it be like to be above the ground

with such a solid grip,

the confidence of wings?  

-Byron Hoot

Turkey Hunting

I read, “I don’t hunt turkeys because I 

want to but because I have to.” 

I thought of what was later said,

the love of having to do what you 

can’t do otherwise.  And how all things

that surround that “have to” are lovable

too.  Regardless what they are; if they 

are attached, they demand the same 

care and consideration as the primary urge

that has chosen you.  Not a bad way 

to live.  I believe one of those Greek 

philosophers called it following “your

daemon.” That which joins the human

and divine and guides your life.

Not a popular idea today that there 

may be something in us that knows 

and cares more about us than we do --

the best thing to do to follow where

we’re lead.  You could say, “Just 

a crazy ass turkey hunter!”  But 

you can’t say you’re not hunting 

for something in this life; it’d be 

nice to have a “have to” leading 

you in your way.

-Byron Hoot

hootnhowlpoetry.com 

In That Moment

In That Moment. . . 

. . . the two deer

were in the tall 

grass on the side

of the road.

I didn’t see them

until I was on them.

The beauty of the scene

and the fear slowed me.

I watched to see

which way they would go.

They took a step.

I drove on thinking 

of beauty, fear 

and the danger

hootnhowlpoetry.com.