Greetings,
dearest poets and storytellers. I hope you are well, and with your pen (and muse) at the ready. Today’s prompt was
inspired by the following exchange, which I overheard while waiting at my
oncologist’s office:
One
person said to another, “Do you ever feel like you’re being hunted, like there’re
eyes stuck to your back, and someone’s about to grab you?”
The
other individual shook their head, and said, “I’ve never felt that. I’m always the
one doing the hunting.” Then, while pretending to grab for the other person’s throat,
they yelled, “Boo!” and laughed.
After a few seconds, they were both laughing. The eyes of the one who booed were shiny with mirth. But the other one looked troubled, and the look stayed with me.
So,
with that thought in mind, I invite you to write poetry or prose from the point
of view of a character or speaker who is hunting, being hunted, or both.
Pieces which have been significantly rewritten are welcomed. This prompt will stay open
for a week. One link per participant. If you go for prose, the word count
should be 369 words or fewer. Let us write, share, and comment!
Do you find this quote slightly disturbing, or is it just me?
Perhaps the speaker was a 'bounty hunter.' Perhaps like the folk out looking fore our runaway tiger here in the Houston Area. Did Hemmingway like guns?
ReplyDeleteWe have several generations now whose favorite toy was a toy pistol. Now they have the real thing to play with. Mom wouldn't let me have one, but she did allow me to have a BB gun. I still have it, a Red Ryder, about 80 years old. I have my dad's 22 caliber rifle also, and a pistol given to me by a dying fiend. I have not shot either, I think the pistol has never been shot. Dad shot a lot of rabbits and had his mother cook them for him. Mom didn't like cooking them.
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Hemingway was known to have liked guns, yes. My brother and I were brought up never to point a gun at anyone, not even a toy pistol. But of course this rule had to be relaxed for water pistols. Also our Dad made us real bows and arrows out of bamboo, which we did play with – go figure. (Mind you, the arrows had blunt rubber stops on the ends, not points.)
Delete@Jim, Like Rosemary pointed out it seems Hemingway loved guns. But I don't know the origin of the quote. I would like to think that he wasn't being literal, if he was... well, not someone I would like to spend an afternoon with.
DeleteI hunted with a bow, and BB/Pellet gun, and fished a lot as well. My mother wasn't keen on guns, but many friends had .22s and other guns as well. My story is a bit graphic...
DeleteThis brought back some old memories.
@Brother Ollie, I think the best stories are those we plucked from what once was...
DeleteYes, indeed I do find that quote disturbing! Also the exchange you witnessed at the oncologist's. Growing up, I was fearful and 'hunted'; things chasing me in my fantasies and actual dreams. But I felt that hunting, particularly of animals, was something I'd never be able to bear to do. Fortunately, I have never been required to.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a strange exchange. Not just because one person was laughing so hard at the whole thing, but because this individual completely missed the fact that the other was quite scare. People are strange.
DeleteI don't have a problem with hunting for food. I don't particularly enjoy it, but I understand the need. I feel the same way about both sides of the equation, I will hunt to keep being hungry and I would understand if I had to become a predator's last meal. Nature happens. I just try to be respectful of the things I eat, be it animal or plant.
A most intriguing challenge ~~ after watching Ken Burns’ “Hemingway” on PBS, I gained new insights into his persona ~~ yes, the quote is somehow unsettling.
ReplyDeleteI have never watched that documentary. I shall look for it.
DeleteThree episodes each over an hour long, well worth your sweet time.
Delete🖤
DeleteA good Wednesday to all. Thanks for today's interesting prompt, Magaly
ReplyDeletemuch love...
You're welcome, Gillena.
DeleteWe have the Hemmingway installments recorded for a rainy day. I must declare rain, none seems to come here.
ReplyDelete..
The shows were fascinating! A must watch.
DeleteThank you for this challenge. I just got back from a week long vacation celebrating 31 years of marriage! I came back to a delightful package from France of ephemeral I ordered... The image I used is one of them.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary, Margaret!
DeleteSorry Magaly, late to the party again, but always enjoy joining in. Gonna make the rounds now.
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it, Rob.
Delete