An autobiographical, free verse poem, called, “I Aimed, Pulled the Trigger, and Fired”, which revolves around a hunting trip with my father, a long time ago. (Well… it’s not totally autobiographical.)
I Aimed, Pulled the Trigger, and Fired
I didn’t even know what type of bird it was – when I had to shoot to kill.
I left the comfort of my bed
on an early Saturday Fall morning
to enter the unknown – a nearby forest
so that I could hunt with my father.
The canopy of trees further reduced the light from the overcast sky.
It was chilly, with a scent of damp moss present in the air
the ground wet from the morning mist.
I remember mostly silence
except for my breathing
and the sounds of my footsteps
and those of my father – crushing twigs, branches, dead leaves, plant life, and living insects
clearing the road for my rite of passage
my childhood disappearing with every footstep.
The bird was spotted by my father
a distance away
on a branch
of a colorful, majestic tree.
He handed me his gun
and gave me a quick refresher on how to hold, how to shoot, and what to expect.
The gun was heavy, my arms started to ache
my hands were cold, and trembling.
And then – he told me that I was ready.
And so I aimed
pulled the trigger
and fired.
The bird remained motionless
but very much alive.
I fired once more.
Again
the bird, still there
unaffected
and at that moment I asked myself, if I would have to shoot again.
My father reloaded the rifle
and as I reluctantly took it from his hands, he looked into my eyes
and I wondered if he knew.
I fired again.
Again – I missed.
Then a fourth, and final time.
I returned the riffle to my father.
Nothing was said.
Nothing else was done.
I asked myself if one day I would be a hunter.
Before leaving the area
so that my father’s hunt could once again continue
I looked – for the last time – at the branch of the tree that once supported the bird.
It was gone – and I smiled.
(This poem was selected 10th for a Poetry Soup contest in May of 2021.)
An autobiographical, free verse poem, called, “I Aimed, Pulled the Trigger, and Fired”, which revolves around a hunting trip with my father.