|
|
|
A
HUNTER’S PRAYER
(to the
slain animal’s spirit) |
| Life is a
circle. At first, we do not exist in this world. Then we are
born, grow, and thus live. Then after a while, when we must
relinquish our existence in this world, the circle is
complete. Some circles are very small, others much larger. We
do not much control where the circle starts or ends. But
within this circle, we are players whose performance is a
balance of conscious and unconscious choices; influences from
that which is imprinted within our species and that which is
imposed from without.. |
| As such, I have not chosen to be predator any more than you
have chosen to be prey. The circle of life demands that there
be both. I accept that as predator, I have the awesome
responsibility of being swift and sure, for carelessness may
cause you suffering, and that I cannot bear. Yet, because I am
sometimes less than I can be, I will cause suffering. May I be
thus judged by the sincerity of my intentions, and the purity
of my heart, and when it is deserved, may I be forgiven. |
| I celebrate the way you lived, I wish I could live my life as
well. Your courage and love of life was not a minor thing.
Therefore, it is now with both sorrow and reverence that I now
thank you Mr. <animal species>, for giving your life, and I
honor your life by pledging that through your death will come
sustenance for renewed life. |
| Now that your spirit has been set free, it can go where it
will. However, if you think I am worthy, perhaps you will
honor me by allowing your spirit come into my heart where it
can live within me and be my counsel. And when life comes full
circle for me, may both of our spirits be set free in a better
place— |
| |
where the
"lion can lay with the lamb",
|
| |
and we will feel sorrow and fear no more. |
|
|
|
jdg 1999 |
|
|
|