navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #47 » Me, My B.B. Gun and the Bird
Open Poetry #47
Post A Reply Post New Topic Me, My B.B. Gun and the Bird Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2011-04-28 07:50 PM


I'm sorry Owl,
maybe you ought
not to read this.



It was a Red Ryder B.B. Gun,
Christmas morning ready for fun.
Snow had fallen the night before,
Grabbed my gun and ran out the door.

I started off shooting at cans,
Thinking I was a real he-man.
I shot at everything in sight,
Red Ryder; spoiling for a fight.

It was so beautiful, the snow,
I was a happy kid I know.
What a great gift from old St. Nick,
Better than playing with a stick.

On the unspoiled snow I did see,
A beautiful redbird for me.
I sneaked up on it like a scout,
Had that bird in my sights, no doubt.

I pulled the trigger, the bird fell,
It made me so happy I yelled.
When I walked upon the poor bird,
It just lay there and never stirred.

Staring down at it where it bled,
I couldn't believe it was dead.
It took me a while, then I ran,
Never to hunt again, my plan.

©April 28, 2011 / Jerry Pat Bolton

~ Passionate kiss, like spider web, leads to undoing of fly. ~

© Copyright 2011 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2011-04-28 08:22 PM


AHA!

I knew this of you...even before I knew you.

We had just gained "enough TV misconcepts" to believe we'd see the bird fly off in the next reel....

when reality bit.

I had my own bb gun...but had to share it with my brother. You should have seen this eagle eye making sure he only hit cans!!!


JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2011-04-28 08:24 PM


Yeah. I've never quite forgotten that day. I'm surprised it has taken me this long to write about it. Thank you Sunshine.

~ Passionate kiss, like spider web, leads to undoing of fly. ~

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2011-04-28 08:45 PM


Jerry...Many things are learned the hard way.  I'm so glad your B.B. gun joy turned into a life lesson and that you told us about it in this touching poem.  Thanks!
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2011-04-28 08:55 PM


Hi Martie. Thank you for your kind words. I am not anti-hunter, except when it comes to me. There are some hunting I detest, the so-called "controlled hunt," where animals are penned up in an area and have no chance to escape. Thanks again, Martie.

~ Passionate kiss, like spider web, leads to undoing of fly. ~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
5 posted 2011-04-29 08:55 AM


Aw Jerry you big softy.  Gotta love ya!
Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
6 posted 2011-04-29 09:28 AM


Thanks, Lori.

~ Passionate kiss, like spider web, leads to undoing of fly. ~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
7 posted 2011-04-29 10:55 AM


Thanks for the warning.  Didn't read further than that.

Owl

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
8 posted 2011-04-29 11:16 AM


Good. Thanks for the comment after all.

~ Passionate kiss, like spider web, leads to undoing of fly. ~

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
9 posted 2011-04-29 11:40 AM


I'd like to think that the sacrifice of that one little sweet bird and your reaction in seeing it dead, have saved many further victims.

Humans have a certain ancestral hunter instinct, but we need to evolve into a peaceful co-existence with the animal world. Even when there is respect and no cruelty involved, it is indeed still so sad, but if it's not the humans the animals eat and hunt each other anyway to survive.

I read your warning to Owl and then the replies and then I said to myself I could manage to read it and it was worth it, dear Jerry. You have experienced an important life lesson and you have written a touching piece about it. (I wish Santa Claus would ban guns from his gifts!).

Love,
Margherita

"Love is the One who masters all things;
I am mastered totally by Love."
(Rumi)

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
10 posted 2011-04-29 12:29 PM


Hi, Margherita . It like I said earlier, I have no trouble with hunting per se (well, a little), but hunting for sport and not for food is where my conscience rears its head. This is a cruel world. Animals kill other animals and in the most horrific ways, but they do that to live. Man used to have to kill to live, and in some parts of the world that is still true. But to load up with a shiny new gun to slaughter just so you can have a rack of antlers above your fireplace, or trophy room is a bit much. And killing the elephants just for their tusks is appalling to me.

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Passionate kiss, like spider web, leads to undoing of fly. ~

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #47 » Me, My B.B. Gun and the Bird

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary