Evaluations

It is deer hunting season in the north woods. And seeing a buck close up, hanging from a rack, brought me back to another time and place years ago.



Evaluations


The freshly arrowed buck,
beheaded and skinned,
hangs slick with north woods pride.
Only the forelocks remain furred,
anchoring the rope against slipping.
Glistening fascia covers ruddy muscles
not unlike cadaver torsos
that first semester of medical school.

Every Saturday morning a quiz
on newly dissected sections:
bodies draped except for the organ,
muscle or nerve demanding
identification. Occasionally, a clue:
nail polish on fingers fallen
from under the sheet
reinforcing ovary as an answer.

But a doe's horned hooves
won't hold a manicure
and the only points that count
for a hunter
are those on the rack of antlers.



Marilyn Aschoff Mellor