Father took me on a hunting trip
He gave me a woven basket to hold for the entrapped game.
His rifle slung across his shoulder.
Rufous, wagged his tail excitedly,
For he knew we would have a great time.

" Make sure your boots are in order," Father warned.
" Deadly snakes crawl these lands."
He spooked me.

I feared

Across the shaky Bridge, I proved my courage
He Winks at me and whispered good girl.
"The last time we came here I had to carry you."
He mused
"I remember those days but
I am a big girl now." I countered with a shrug.

The sound of a snort welcome to us
"That's a wild boar." He whispers
Rufus whelps and it dashes away.

"What a bad boy, Rufus," Father grumbled and Rufus looked shy with guilt.

Something shuffles a few meters away.
A hare skips there
scenting vegetation.

"Silence now," Father warned

"This will surely make a descent stew."
Father beamed.

Aiming his spear in capturing jewel.
The game in the keep,

Back home, we meandered.
Surely, mother boiled potatoes
For no sooner had we arrived she left from her chair to skin the rabbit
A hot bowl of evening delicacy fumes.

 "When next do we go hunting?" I inquire eagerly,
licking the last of my meal.

"When the rabbit in your belly digests."
We all giggled. I'm sure Rufus, did too.

By Yefon Isabelle
©️ 2017