Chasing Elliot's Ghost


With morning's light
still far away.
I reach the point
to start the day.

Off in the distance
or in a canyon below.
Lives the ghost of my dreams
as the suns light does show.

As the day moves along
and minutes become hours.
I sit through light snow
and a few rain showers.

I search through the rocks
and under every tree.
My eyes search for clues
that few will ever see.

A small flash of white or
the thin shadow of tines.
His ghost still eludes me,
but maybe not this time.

Off to my left
there's something I know.
My eyes strain to focus
as the days light sinks low.

It is his ghost.
the one from my dreams.
Silky and grey with
massive curled beams.

He appeared like magic from
a tangle of oak.
In a breath he is gone
as my rifle has spoke.

As I cover the distance
to where the gray ghost now lays.
I remember the others
and the ones who got away.

I kneel down to admire
a true gift from above.
I'm filled with excitement,
God… the Coues Deer I do love.


Jeff Falls
11/20/2003