Bradgate Stags – guest poem by Sue Mackrell

Sue Mackrell is a poet, workshop leader and creative project organiser, based in Leicestershire. She has researched and written extensively about a range of aspects of Leicestershire history and heritage, and has worked with all sort of groups from the County.  So I was delighted when she sent me this poem about Bradgate Park.  I know it’s not October any more, but this is still a brilliantly evocative poem.  Thanks to Sue for permission to post it.

 

Bradgate Stags

 

Magnificent in gold October light,

a crowned stag in autumn rut,

full rack of antler, twelve tined,

thick maned ruff spiked with mud,

impressive mass of muscled neck.

 

With the gait and stance of a conqueror, he

paws the ground, roars, guttural,

sniffing, strutting, gauging the strength

of his rival, locking antlers clashing

with elemental potency.

 

An atavistic appeal to primeval instincts,

shamanism and shape changing,

ancient masks and Mummers’ plays,

a Horn Dance, clash of wooden staves,

antlered heads invoking

Herne the Hunter, Pan the Horned God,

Cernunnos, god of the wildwood,

still surviving in transgressive rituals

of Stag Night revels.

 

 

Sue Mackrell