Warrior Again - For Mitch (Prose)

Warrior Again

(For Mitch)

And the warrior took the worn deer antler in his hand

With great skill chipped away at the obsidian on the stump;

And the warrior opened his book

Read, thought, pondered

And the warrior fastened with sinew

The arrowhead to the arrow, inadvertently cutting himself;

And the warrior looked in the mirror

Passionately stating his mantra again…through tearing eyes

And the warrior climbed into the tree

Arrow nocked, awaiting his prey;

And the warrior knocked on the door

Breathed in, breathed out

And the warrior drew back

Breathed in, breathed out…and let go;

And the warrior reiterated the point

Waited (not speaking) for an answer

And the warrior looked up

Thanked Creator, climbed down;

And the warrior looked up

Thanked Creator, climbed in

And the warrior did his work with the carcass

Carefully preserving the meat, heart, liver;

And the warrior closed the loops

Made certain, preserved the promise

And the warrior returned home.

To a grateful family, a provider

And the warrior returned home

To a grateful family, a provider.

--Eric Marley

May 2012