I posted these a long time back and thought I'd re-share with the new folks of Trad Gang. Hope you enjoy.
"Monarch"I descended into the valley of shadow
Named, for it's immense overhead
My stomach was doing flip flops
My legs were all filled with dread
My head was filled with the stories
Of the ghosts that haunted these woods
Especially, the one of the "Monarch"
Seven feet high he's said to have stood
Antlers as wide as the branches
And mossy like an old oak tree
With eyes of burning coal, he snorted fire
And could stomp you quicker than three
Now, I am a man by many rights
I have never backed down from one
And when the dare was set before me
I felt the cold chill me to the bone
I was dared to hunt the long feared valley
Just me and my trusty bow
So, I showed no fear as I accepted
But I had no confidence to show....
Finally, the day of the hunt
It approached me way too soon
I set out with my bow named "Killer"
By the light of a silvery moon
And we descended into that valley
Not knowing what might be in store
I said a silent prayer, to the wind
To just see my family once more
Now, after a couple hours of walking
I cut upon a churned up trail
And decided to follow it, hoping
It didn't lead me straight into hell
But, as fate or luck would have it
I ended up on the edge of a clearing
And in the center stood a herd of cows
Perhaps one or two a yearling
I let my eyes roam over this harem
And they beheld a magnificent sight
There stood the biggest bull I had ever seen
A king by any right
I realized with a sudden clarity
This was the monster of all those stories
But, it was not a demon that I gazed upon
Just a bull in his full glory
So, I formed a plan and began my stalk
And closed the distance to within twenty yards
This creature, a wonder of nature
Would be mine, if I could just play my cards
I brought "Killer" up, with an arrow to bare
And took him to full draw
When the "Monarch" swung his regal crown
It was then, in his eyes I saw
The defiance of many an unchallenged year
He roamed this valley so low
And carried the weight of an old timer
By the display upon his brow
I let down on the string of "Killer"
And bid the ole King hello
Then silently melted back into the woods
And headed myself for home
Now I never revealed that chance meeting
With any of the people that I know
And the king is still the king
Somewhere in the valley of shadow
TW
"Ole Faithful" My eyes soak up your gracious lines
My fingers caress each curve
Dream back to days gone by
And all the faithful years you served
Through the cold days of ole man winter
Hunting during his icy breath
When crystals formed on each your limbs
But couldn't stop your sudden death
Look now to all the trophies
Several that adorn my wall
I see each as if yesterday
By your speed they were brought to fall
My trusty and faithful friend
We've cracked and become old
So let us pass to another life
And continue the hunt so bold
TW
"Desert Dweller" little pig, little pig
Where can you be
Behind that cactus,
Behind that tree?
Swiftly, a shadow
Moving across the sand
While I hunt you
Bow in hand
You stalk the desert
Of New Mexico
Presenting a challenge
You crafty foe
But now your odor
Gives you away
And I spy your coat
All black and gray
The stalk is over
Your time has come
A painted shaft
I'll send it home
At full draw
I let it fly
And stand dumbfounded
For it sailed high
That's my luck
You're no longer there
Just my arrow
In a prickly pear!
TW
"Grand Kill" The shot was quick
And clean I thought
As I eyed the ground
For a bright red spot
Where the giant buck
Had stood broadside
With his massive rack
Tan colored hide
He had strutted in
Upon the fading light
As I prayed
He made a right
And into my lane
He did come
As the arrow and I
Became one
I held my breath
Then let 'er sail
All I recall
Was his flashing tail
With the crack of branches
As he sped away
I gave thanks
To this glorious day
And waited for my heart
To settle down
Then descended my stand
To look around
But the light of day
Was finally gone
When I found the splotch
Where he had run
To take up the trail
Was a little to soon
So, I returned with a friend
That night
By the shining light
Of the Hunters Moon
TW