The Hunt

 

Tell a tale I have to speak of a time for long since has past.
The yesterday’s of yesterday before the after far from the first last.
Of a lost tale ware you and I shall together relive the forgotten history.
Let it forever fade from all memory become it will be your destiny.
Though rare are they those occasions occur for the stories to be told.
Heard were the words in the years of my youth now recited in the days of old.
My gaze never fell upon the sight of a world not ruled over by man.
Such an unspoiled place is difficult to imagine but easy to understand.
To a time when freedom was free and never a tribute was paid.
And for to know that no boundaries exist nor any ownership made.
When the entire world was for the taking and all the world was shared.
By the souls of those who dwelled with the wild and who’s spirit did it care.
A harmonious balance made possible between the untamed and the fairy.
The blessings of nature was theirs and with it peace and tranquility.
Games and fun like a child’s life their only wish was to play.
Harvest in gardens grown worldwide was life in those earlier days.
Change happened though quiet and slow in places hidden and unseen.
Brought about the end of forever like the waking from a restful dream.
One who was crowned by his kind traveled far from his gilded throne.
Claiming the forest as a part of his kingdom unaware it was the fairies home.
A legion of companions accompanied the ruler on both foot and horseback.
Fear filled the void ware peace earlier dwelled as the hunters went on the attack.
From the fierce to the helpless none were spared sport became the beast.
Taking with them the most prized while laying waste those who were valued the least.
None moved nor did stir from their places of hiding ware they remained under cover.
But still able to see the loss of so many while fearing for one another.
In great sadness they toiled to honor their dead anger took root from their seeds of grief.
So high is the price of a life that no equal measure could pay it is a debt without any relief.
Young twigs were bent and spiders web strings together made a powerful tiny bow.
Porcupine quills and feathers from the birds filled a quiver of tiny arrows.
An army of fairies began to take shape and was soon ready to fight.
Against their peaceful ways they sought their revenge under the cover of night.
From in the angry mob a lone voice cried out, “Please before it becomes too late.”
“Let my words be heard then if you wish you may go and retaliate.”
“Something must be done for the innocence lost for to them was committed a crime.”
“In your need for blood, what if it’s yours, dying for death ahead of its time.”
“My idea is simple with a cost not as great but still more than any can afford.”
“A divide shall always stand between man and beast alone will be the humans reward.”
“Welcome them not and flee from there presence and give them a reason to fear.”
“Make the forest a foreboding place one they will chose not to come near.”
“Make not yourselves the enemy or do as they do instead follow a higher road.”
“Allow those who do harm to change your nature and you’ll bear a heavier load.”
“Our time will soon come and what shall we say to those who before us now are dead.”
“Is it a tribute to the living to take life away or a tribute to death instead?”
“No greater gift is life and defending it from death is of the highest cause.”
“But taking life from life goes against our nature and our most basic laws.”
One by one the bows fell and the arrows were dropped as hostilities began to cease.
The woods returned to its earlier state, though there remained an uneasy peace.
And so that is why when an animal is seen it will instinctively run away.
For they never forgot that time long ago and what happened on that long ago day.