The leaves on the oaks danced in a flurry of oranges & reds
But I had to focus on where my compass was pointing instead
My chest rose in heaves, & my feet were all muddy
To think it was supposed to be a hunting retreat w/ my buddy
We'd done it every year, Atleast for the last dozen
A little log cabin, I think it was his Dad's cousin's
Surround by 200 acres of nothing but woods
No cell service, but the hunting was good
I had shot a buck that morning, one hell of a stag
300lbs easy, He took turns helping me drag
Stopped to string it up in a tree by the hill
And had just made it back in the cabin after cleaning the kill
I started with coors lights, then lead to something harder, of course
Which is how we wound up w/ bourbons & cigars on the porch
He had his phone in his hand, seemed to scroll through his camera
"I got a good shot of the buck w/ you holding the antlers"
He showed me the photo..I said it was epic
Then he swiped to a pic I never expected
And at that point, the vibe unquestionably got grim
It was his wife with a guy who was definitely not him
I swear in that moment, my buzz seemed to disolve
As he calmy picked up that 12 gauge he had leaned on the wall
See it depicted more than an indecent pose
I was sure that I deleted those...
She swore he didn't need to know
"I hid a trail cam on the dresser in my room
I wanted to catch her with some proof..
I wasn't expecting this from you..
I had my suspicions that she was a stupid hoe,
I knew it, bro..
But I didn't ever think that YOU would stoop so low!
I mean it's utter treason!
I considered you family, a brother; even!
Can give me one good reason
That I should leave you fucking breathing?!"
My mind tried to signal my mouth, tried to form a confession
Or an apology that could thwart his agression
As my eyes scanned the porch for a weapon
Until the pumping of the the Mossburg & his morbid expression
Reminded me that it was a rhetorical question.
My feet started moving, instinct forced the suggestion
Dodging the dogwoods, I dashed in a northern direction
Branches slapped at my face, as if a sign of my doomed plight
I ran through the night, only guided by moon light
Until the sun rising through the canopies seemed to offer reprieve
I almost got lost in my thoughts of the leaves
Until I I heard an atv motor off in the distance
Perhaps someone who could offer assistance?
But that thought was gone in an instant
And all hope was torn from my heart
When I heard the chorus of barks
I slipped in the mud & the ground was all mushy
And that was right about the time the hounds overtook me
