Free!

Within the once vast and open wilderness

where wild animals were free

passing their lives without intervention

from hunters and seekers of land

killing the prey for their breeds survival

fearing no human arrival!

 

No more their security and safety assured

as the numbers rapidly dwindle

some becoming extinct as the killing excels

left to die in agony and pain alone

poachers only interest the profits they make

not the misery they create!

 

The rich and ruthless have no mercy to give

for any destruction of animal life

nor the ever advancing human colonisation

and their shrinking habitation

creatures who should live and be protected

by many their rights not respected!

 

Man thinks on earth he is the superior being

not caring species are rapidly disappearing!

 

The Foureyed Poet.

 

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Decision!

Out of breath he staggered to the edge

not realising the sheer drop

in turmoil uncertain of what to do next

he sensed the men were close

it was meant to be a short break away

sounds here he could not stay!

 

Nowhere to run made an instant decision

there was a river far below

so jumped that was how desperate he felt

better to die than be captured

time seemed to stop closed his eyes tight

hit water adding to the plight!

 

A fast flowing river pulled him underneath

choking trying to breathe

keeping his head above water stayed afloat

until the current eased

to the rocky bank weak managed to crawl

in a muddy pool did sprawl!

 

The rest was short he could hear the dogs

an awful emotion terror

he had only asked them being lost the way

from a friendly request

they suddenly tried to drag him from his car

drove away did not get far!

 

Their shotgun pellets smashed into the glass

then bursts the rear tyres

now out of control swerved into a nearby tree

instinct gave him flight

the adrenaline gave him the strength to run

but began to feel he was done!

 

Somehow managed to stand and slowly walk

realised the pain in his arm

this was what kept him going he was the prey

for some crazy hunters today

almost crawling up and over the crest of a hill

with all his being did he will!

 

Could see a road some distance down below

a steep slope the barrier

men and hounds were closing in a shot fired

if it was his end it had to be

forcing himself over he started to roll faster

of his destiny no longer master!

 

Agony had permeated his body to weak to cry

he lay broken in a ditch

through blurred vision saw a lorry approaching

no longer caring if he existed

losing consciousness never saw the vehicle stop

nor hunters observing from the top!

 

Several days later awoke in an intensive care ward

relived he was at last safe

until he saw one of the hunters sitting by the bed

dressed in a sheriffs uniform

his uninjured arm in a handcuff clipped to a side rail

had he reached the end of the trail!

 

Petrified at the situation what was happening to him?

 

The Foureyed Poet.

 

The Detour!

The Detour arrow lights flashed on and off

as the car hurtled towards it

three desperate criminals intent on escape

behind the police converged

the stolen car swerved onto a quarry track

for them no turning back!

 

Bouncing violently on the potholed surface

constantly glancing behind

checking the progress of their law hunters

surprised when they halted

no longer in pursuit they heartily cheered

as the driver oversteered!

 

Finding themselves rolling over several times

coming to rest on its roof

shaken and bruised they crawled from the car

seconds later it exploded

all they could do was reassess the conditions

and their precarious positions!

 

Pitch black isolated looking at distant blue lights

uncertain what was unfolding

confused as to why nobody would venture near

through woods blundered forth

no longer confident or with arrogant contempt

for some reason now exempt!

 

Exposure and shock added to their condition

ever the sense of a presence

movement and snapping of fallen branches

unfamiliar sounds circled them

still having guns fired wildly into emptiness

no more could they careless!

 

Panicking headed away from the tree line

yet knew something roamed

tired sat to rest but huge shadows hovered

like phantoms homing in

began to feel trapped with no place to run

shattered their resistance done!

 

Then realised they were poised on the edge

of a what seemed like a quarry

rocks crumbling under their body weight

and the phantoms converging

fell backwards their screams reverberating

the following silence intoxicating!

 

The law enforcement agencies went in at dawn

to recover the bodies

nobody dared enter at night it was dangerous

this was a long cursed spot

where many unexplained deaths had transpired

and normal reality expired!

 

The Foureyed Poet.