Hunting grouse is a spiritual thing
As every grouse hunter knows
And when you loose your dog
And strike out on foot behind it
The third with you is always God
Whichever God is in your heart
Depending on your religion
Or if you are agnostic
Your dog knows which God is in your shadow
You and your dog know the pursuit is of a ghost
That may be where you walk or maybe not
For if it’s here it’s here by nature’s choice
For grouse are never put by man
And you and dog will walk and seek
For places grouse may likely be
Beneath a laurel bush
Or in a hemlock thicket
Or on a logging road pecking gravel for its craw
And your God will be
Close by sharing
The beauty of this place of his or her creation
Where you and dog have shed your cares
To pursue one of that God’s sublime creations