pursuit

Pheasants call down the valley
rising to their roosts
in the falling dusk of a still October day.
The stag arrives at a gallop
stalling to a halt at the incline.
Silhouetted to the sky
a spray of antlers define
a mature Fallow hart of three or four years.
Senses and mind driven by instinct it pauses.
The rumble of the pursuers
comes closer.
A decision made
the stag is off.
The estate car follows at a distance
whilst the pheasants continue their
rasping evening chant.