Thirteen

Thirteen
When he was thirteen, he believed there was no better age, even though he found out later there was. He was a teenager, that was all that counted. His dad let him rifle hunt on his own for the first time, float the river without him, and even run a chainsaw by himself, but only if his mom couldn’t hear it. He could ride his four-wheeler were ever he wanted to in the mountains. The first time he done that he thought he was lost behind his own house, just because his dad wasn’t there, and with him he traveled the same road time and again without his father’s guidance. Thirteen, he found out, isn’t sixteen or seventeen. He couldn’t drive or go anywhere without someone that could, and even though he is sixteen going on seventeen, he still doesn’t have his license. So I don’t know why he is complaining about to me for.

Just Me, the Deer, and the Shot

Just Me, the Deer, and the Shot

It’s just me, the deer, and the shot

The deer may run

The wind may blow

The snow may be thick

But, I can still shoot

I’ve got five shells

No obstacles in my way

No snow in my scope

The deer haven’t saw me yet

No body scent blowing in the wind

It’s just me, the gun, and the shot

I slowly raise the gun

Flick the safety button off

Smell the warm, moist gunpowder

BULLSEYE

Riley

Riley TMB 3

I asked you to go hunting

Because you were my papaw

I handed you your rifle,

But you just shook your head

I guess I just didn’t realize you weren’t able to go.

I ask if you wanted to ride the truck around the hills

You said, “Lets go”

Then I asked if it would be like this forever

You said, “No”

Then I started to cry

I didn’t want to lose you

But that day came anyway

And you just don’t know

How it would make me feel

Just to see you

One more time.

Pine

              A Pine TMB

I am a pine

I stand tall and firm

No matter how much wind

 

I am made of tough bark on the outside

 hard, sticky wood on the inside

I am stronger than most other trees around me

Unlike a willow,

I don’t bend and let others topple over me

 

As I become older

 I only become stronger

Unlike others

 who become brittle

and uproot with the slightest breeze

Mother Nature doesn’t get me down

I stay green and active

 no matter the season

All of my neighbors become dormant

 lifeless with no activity

I stay bright and strong all year

 

Even the wildlife found out I am no Hickory

 squirrels get gummed up as they try to get my pine cones

deer, bear, and coyote get poked and jabbed by my long and sharp spurs

They can’t live off of me

like they can a walnut or beach tree.

I have no food to offer them.

That is why I am always green and strong

all year round.

November 23 TMB

First morning of rifle season

   alarm blaring, 4:15 a.m.

   at the house deep in the Mongalia National Forest

Bacon and eggs frying

   coffee in hand

Dad and the guys still asleep

   getting up soon after

Forks and knives scraping plates

   The Andy Griffith Show blaring in the living room

Setting down to get another moment of rest

    While everybody is donning camo and orange vests

Loading the 30-06 deer rifle

     Boots waiting at the door

Outside bundled up

     five degree wind-chill

Trekking deeper into the mountains

     each passing moment

All just before sunrise

All just before sunrise

Each passing moment

     Trekking deeper into the mountains

Five degree wind-chill

      Outside bundled up

Boots waiting at the door

    Loading the 30-06 deer rifle

While everyone dons camo and orange vests

     Setting down to get another moment of rest

The Andy Griffith Show blaring in the living room

     Forks and knives scraping plates

Getting up soon after

     Dad and the guys still asleep

Coffee in hand

     Bacon and eggs frying

 At the house deep in the Mongalia National Forest

     Alarm blaring 4:15 a.m.

     First morning of rifle season

Childhood is

Childhood is TB

Childhood is not getting up early

Childhood is shaking kids pop up

Childhood is driving a battery jeep

Childhood is getting a new G.I. Joe Man

Childhood is getting a Zebco 33 fishing rod

Childhood is going to Sunday school on Sunday mornings

Childhood is papaw teaching me to run the lawnmower

Childhood is going hunting with dad

Childhood is running to mom when scared

Childhood is shooting Dad with a B.B. Gun, and getting a lecture afterwards