A Hunter In The Mountains

• Jade Burch, Grade 9, St Columbas College
• Poetry
• 2016

Excellence Award in the 'Word Zone 2016' competition

Walking through the mountains, pristine is the air.
The birds I hear are singing. Geese, ducks and doves.
My feet are soaked with dew, the fog is damping my hair.
By now I’ve lost my way. I wish I had some gloves.
My heart begins to race. I know that she is here.
For days I have been following. I’ve been watching and I’ve been waiting.
I climb a tree and spy her. She doesn’t know I’m near.
I straighten my bow, the arrow flies true. The silence is crushing.
I hear her scream. It’s loud. It’s woeful. It’s fading.
My bow falls first and then I do. I realise my mistake.
The ground is hard and cold. My feet are aching.
Before I can run I feel the ground quake.
The creature I’ve killed, is not from this world.
The trees are crying, their tears are impearled.
For my crimes I must pay, with my life and service forever.