Stray Thoughts: When the last shot has sounded

When the ice crystals form on the corn stalks and wheat

and the geese take to flight before the low sun retreats

the deer take a break from their running around

and settle down in the grass where the sun warms the ground

and gaze at each other in the quietest way

remembering those who aren’t with them today

They survived hunting season to rest where they are laying

in this game that they don’t have a cho…