Tilde--Her Horn
by
Leann Marshall
Friday, March 07, 2008
Rated "G" by the Author.
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Powder, patch, and ball
She chants what Pop
Taught them all
And makes the trek to
Devil’s Creek--
Enemies to seek
Flush out
Destroy
She drops the bag
Upon the ground
Lays low for longer
Than is needed
It is said that
They’ve retreated
And so
She waits
Why must they wear red?
She muses, just one more thing
That so confuses
Makes them
Simple to see
Among bare trees
But that’s
Her fortune
She wonders then
When Mama will see
The empty rack above the fire
Pop’s old squirrel gun gone
Knows of her desire
The war to be done
Her husband
Her son
You’re a girl
Act that way
There is mending and washing
Valuable things you must
Bring to each day
No time for dreaming
No time for play
Things she
Would say
She is a girl, it’s true
But what of honor
Darning socks will
Earn her none of that
Canning yams
Will cost her nothing
But an apron soiled with sweat
No honor
No blood
There is a rustle
In the scrub
She grabs the bag
‘Tilde—Her Horn”
Measures
Pours the powder down
Lays lead ball upon patch
Uses rod to
Quietly tap them
Down the
Barrel
More powder
Next to flint
One eye shut
The other rapt
Did I remember powder
Before ball?..
A movement
A sound
...Cause if I didn’t
The only one to fall
Will likely be me
She waits, palms wet
Heart pounds
Belly full of birds
A sound
A movement
They’ll see me and
Have no mercy!
Finger tenses on trigger
Begins to squeeze
But then
She sees
A doe
She could kill it
Bring it home
Show Mama
She is able
Brings food
To the table
There is honor
In that
She takes aim again
A little to the right
Like Pop said
Pulls wood to shoulder
...Give us this day
Our daily bread,
Forgive us...
An explosion
In her head
The doe is dead
But no— As smoke,
The reek of sulfur
Quells the echo from
Her ears
A flash
A frantic dash
There is
No red
Here
Stunned,
She rocks back against
A tree
Lets the squirrel gun
Fall upon the leaves
Thank God
She says out loud
Thank God
You got
Away
She hoists gun and bag
Upon her shoulder
Heads home
(I will find honor
In whatever I do)
They seem lighter now
Than when she
Took them
This morning.
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| Reviewed by Lois Christensen |
5/13/2008 |
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| Good loading up of words and glad you ended up coming home without the deer. Mother would be proud of you too for doing that, but you tried hard to please her with meat for the table. It just did not work out, but another time another place I say to you. |
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| Reviewed by Jerry Engler |
4/12/2008 |
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| Very interesting twist to go back in time like that. I liked the line, belly full of birds, and the description of what it took to load the weapon. Lucky deer and lucky Andrew's limey ancestors that she went home...Jerry |
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| Reviewed by MaryGrace Patterson |
3/12/2008 |
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| Great write. It took me there.. I'm glad the doe got away too........M |
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| Reviewed by Regis Auffray |
3/10/2008 |
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Thank you for sharing this story in your poetic mind, Leann. Well done. Love, peace, and best wishes,
Regis |
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| Reviewed by John Leko |
3/9/2008 |
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...well written words...with meaning...perhaps a detailed lesson learned.
excellent Leann...
John |
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| Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader) |
3/8/2008 |
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| A fab story in rhyme..... Powerful, spec when "thank God you got away"..... |
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| Reviewed by Felix Perry |
3/8/2008 |
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Well done and a story with not only moral impact but with sharp crisp images and well researched information as to that era in time...
Fee |
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| Reviewed by Paul Berube |
3/8/2008 |
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Leann,
I love the story. A very valuable lesson to be learned. One could say, "Tilde, we are not in Kansas anymore." There isn't any honor or glory in taking a life whether human or animal. Peace, Love and Blessings Always, Paul. |
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| Reviewed by JASMIN HORST SEILER |
3/7/2008 |
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| Yes indeed many times we shot at the wrong target for the wrong reason, realizing that, made her a hero in my eyes, they both won, the doe and her. Wonderful and alluringly expressed, with much deep meaning, loved it! Jasmin Horst |
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