[Author’s note: This short piece was drafted in 2000 after inspiration by the following quote from Fred Bear:]

To prove their strength, two bucks challenge one another to a duel of power. The aged deer lowers his head to showcase his weaponry. To his opponent he reveals a fine set of antlers decorated with razor sharp tines, those nestled nearest his brow gleaming like broadheads in the shadows. Flames in each deer’s eyes ignite with rage. The showdown commences.

Fresh dirt is unearthed as they struggle to conquer. The younger buck, imbibed with the vigor of determination, pulls away and gasps for air; this challenger’s eyes follow his opponent and implore the stag to relinquish his crown of the forest. The pull is in vain, the reality fatal as antlers interlock, racks entangling the deer in much more than fury.

The once free bucks now find themselves death-locked combatants. Swollen in rut, their neck muscles quiver, cramp, atrophy. Peristalsis halts and hunger pangs soon electrify the torture.

The magnificent, noble adversaries drop unwillingly to their knees. Shoulders soon crash to the earth. Time revolves around this battleground, quieting the lively movements of other woodland-dwellers. Tongues hang out and legs flail to stand in futility. O, how cruel the fate bequeathed by nature can be!

The noisy clashing of antlers ceases. Warm vapor no longer escapes from nostrils to intermingle with fresh, crisp air. As frost hardens their ears and snowflakes melt on their hides, the rivals stare into each other’s eyes, watching the flames expire and turn to ice. Death lingers at the bend of an endless night and defeats both bucks in spite of such a glorious exposition of power.