The Hunter



The hunter paused outside the woods
was stopped by some old hag
who wished to speak of what lie within 
the woods of the golden stag

"It's cursed," she cried, her voice was shrill
"Enter and ye will die!"
"No man can make it through these woods
and few have dared to try"

"Insanity will slowly take it's hold
like enchantments of an elf
it's said a man can loose his mind
and soon may kill himself"

The man was young and knew no fear
he treated her with scorn
for he had vowed to catch the stag
that he had seen that morn

he slowly, slowly nudged his horse
and then went crashing in
not realizing the hellish dream
that would so soon begin

he sought the stag and caught a glimpse
and then took up the chase
ignoring terrors of the woods
that caused his heart to race

The dark closed in, the trees stood still
no breeze did bring fresh air
no other creatures did he see
no birds, nor squirrel, nor hare

now fog descended on the land
he quickly lost his prey
he wandered round in circles now
he couldn't find his way

he heard a rustling in a bush
and went to find the source
a walking corpse he found behind
and away bolted his horse

the hunter paled, the corpse dripped blood
and dead it had to be
for none could bear so many wounds
the hunter now could see

with recognition the corpse stared 
the hunter waited not
he nocked the arrow, raised the bow
and fired the killing shot

he turned and chased his frightened horse
into the darkened wood
now with the knowledge creeping in
he'd gone not where he should

He'd wandered on for days and days
and was stopped by a chilling hoard
monsters and beasts being led
by a skeleton bearing sword

A duel ensued, between the two
the better plain to see
the hunter didn't stand a chance
and was pinned upon a tree

The beasts attacked and tore him up
a mess he soon became
he knew if he ever got away
he'd never move the same

He broke their grasp and got away
and ran until he hurt
he couldn't walk another step
he fell onto the dirt

He heard a noise behind a bush
and rose and tried to walk...

A hunter went to see if he
had found the game he stalked

he quickly paled in mortal fear
and wished to turn and run
he watched the hunters horse take off,
he had no thoughts but one

He realized now in growing fear
he was now the corpse he'd seen
and as his mortal terror grew 
he struggled now to scream

The hunter rose his bow and aimed
the dying had one thought
a man can kill himself, she'd said
and then his thoughts were not...


- Daniel Hunt

Linger 'round the darkside...