Deadly Decision
written by: Robert Ashley Plummer
out on the hill a hunter lay
wearing a coat of motley green
his weapon draped in sullen net
yet where he lay was nothing seen
yes, where he lay was nothing seen
and from where he lay was nothing heard
save for the sound as the insects hummed
and quite close by the cry of a bird
the man and the hillside merged as one
lying together in shade and the sun
and the world appeared so very still
but for the water that flowed in a rill
then, all of a sudden, a stag was there
antlers thrown back; its nose in the air
a wonderful sight, a joy to behold
naturally cautious and naturally bold
the man’s heart raced: his pulse quickened
deep in his mouth saliva thickened
with a hint of a tremor in his hand
he eased his weapon on its stand
but now he had to measure breath
and think of how to deal out death
and so with just a hint of a sigh
he brought the ‘scope up to his eye
and aimed his weapon with exquisite care
so the cross hairs held –at the heart, just there!
then, against the call of a lark
he moved his aim from off the mark
the moment passed, as he knew full well
he had a grimmer tale to tell
for he was there for a different reason
and wartime is the hunting season
so, out beyond the call of the lark
it’s man that would be his final mark
it had been decided: orders were read
his task was simply to shoot a man – dead
- Deadly Decision - April 21, 2026
- Lacuna - January 14, 2026
