Hunting For Peace

We pulled up to the sight about a quarter till four

The light made a path, as we opened the door

We gathered the supplies and got our things in order

As we headed to the stands, it was nearing four, twenty four

I climbed into my blind, and shook off a shiver

I pulled out my bow and loaded the quiver

I hadn't been on a hunt, for two years, in November

Before the accident, though I've done my best, not to remember

It started like today, everyone was so excited

My girlfriend came along, she was specially invited

Because it was my birthday and she wanted to surprise me

She'd been secretly taking lessons, on shooting a bow from the tree

We sat in the stand, just enjoying the morning

When this monster walked by, we hadn't had any warning

And as she picked up her bow, she misjudged her footing

falling head-first down the tree, where this monster was rutting

He was on her before I could descend from the tree

As soon as my feet hit the ground, then he moved to hit me

I rallied by bow and fired a shot

It stuck in his side, but the arrow got caught

It wedged between him and my girlfriends right shoulder

I readjusted and rested my arms on a boulder

Focused for a moment, and let the next arrow fly

It ran off wounded, and I hurried to her side

Her wounds were much worse than I could have ever imagined

By the time help arrived, and the paramedics examined

She had lost too much blood, and they couldn't revive her

It all happened so fast and everything was a blur

I sat neath my stand, just recalling what happened

As they wheeled her away, something in my soul blackened

I unsheathed my knife and began to follow the blood trail

I recall feeling nauseous and my skin had turned pale

But I hunted that buck, until dusk the next day

I had every intention to see that monster slayed

But by the time that I found him, he had already passed

I fell over that stag and I cried, till I laughed

Maybe I'd gone mad, or maybe I just needed the release

But sitting beside it, I felt this unbelievable peace

As we laid her to rest, I swore I'd never hunt again

Until I was approached by her family and friends

They said, she would be heartbroken, if you gave it all up

You see, she admired how you loved this adventurous stuff

So, after a break, here I am, back in this tree

And I know, without doubt, she's here, sitting with me