Pieter Bruegel the Elder, "The Hunters in the Snow," 1565
We will have to trust the hounds in the snow
What we cannot find, their keen noses will
How to keep starvation at bay, we know
Life feeds upon life; to live, we must kill
Blanketed in snow, our village seems calm
Children play upon the ice; maidens sing
But for grumbling stomachs, there’s one balm
In winter, hunger has a vicious sting
No quarrel with the stag or doe have I
Nor do the fish or birds incur my wrath
The wild boar might offend a pretty eye
Both he and I probably need a bath
The hounds will lead us to beasts who must die
In order that we might live, you and I
About the Creator
D. J. Reddall
I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.
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Comments (8)
It's the nature of the beast. Well done..
Love this painting! You did an excellent job giving it a story!
I loooveee the acknowledgment here that survival often means taking on life. Love this! 💌
Oh no, this sounds so scaryyyy. I'd rather die than kill an animal for my survival. But I'm okay with killing humans for survival hehehehehehe
In winter hunger has a vicious sting. A hunter will prevail. Nicely written.
I hear boars smell of strong cologne. Loved this!
Gorgeous work!
I like this so much