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On Displaying the Kill
by Fred Bassett

My father initiated me, as a mere lad,
into the hunting culture of rural Alabama,
so that I, in time, could put food on our table.
During my youthful days as a hunter,
I never once displayed the kill—
butchering always negated displaying.
Those who hunted as a sport did that.
Oh, I was also into sports—
those played with balls not with guns.
We were the one on display.
Looking back, I'm proud of the fact
that I never confused hunting with sporting.
It no longer matters, however, that the trophy
typically went to the boys on the other team.

 


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