Hunting the Hunter
Crackling through the fall leaves
A black bear, the size of a tree
Roots around looking for food
Winters coming, he's in a bad mood
Snorting and sniffing, rooting and pawing
Easing the hunger in his belly gnawing
A shadow falls across his path
Just a glimpse, turning back
Rearing up on mighty legs
Thinking it was all, in his head
Crouching down and sniffing low
Hibernation making him go.
From behind a mighty oak
Cherokee warrior crouches cloaked
In the shadows of the evening
His thoughts of his tribe keeps his breathing
Still and slow as he eyes his prey
Never he thought a bear today
Would cross his path for him to slay
Silent as the night his arrow he draws
Feather to his cheek, bow held taut
But his efforts have come to naught
For behind him rising up on a ledge
The panther crouches on the edge
Stomach rumbling claws so sharp
The panther has but one thought
Creeping towards the human meat
Tonight the panther will surely feast
Powerful legs thrusting him forward
When a sound roars out like thunder
The cherokee fires his arrow true
When the panther toward him flew
The bear falls dead, his aim was good
The panther tumbles dead in the woods
The warrior turns pale as a ghost
As he sees a paleface drifting close
They pause and stare at each others prey
Then nod and go their separate way.