Fagan, James

New Zealand, (fl. 2014)

Pig Hunter

  1. The wild pig hunter is out on the hunt.
  2. His main finder dog, a Fox-Terrier runt.
  3. and Bull-Terrier cross and Greyhound
  4. and Labrador, is his mix for a pig hunting war
  5. and some cattle dog blood.
  6.  
  7. He starts early in the morning, without a horse.
  8.  
  9. He walks up through the gorse,
  10. to a track, with a rifle and knife,
  11. before the dogs come across a pig
  12. standing in tussock ground,
  13. a boar, a hundred and sixty pound.
  14.  
  15. The pig runs at the hunter, grunting his sound.
  16.  
  17. The hunter falls backward, on the ground.
  18.  
  19. The boar turns and goes for the dogs,
  20. trying to gore the one in the middle of the pack.
  21.  
  22. The hunter lifts his gun, but his sight is blurred by the sun.
  23.  
  24. The pack is around him, making a din,
  25. snapping and snarling.
  26.  
  27. So is it the knife, or a shot with the gun,
  28. as the dogs try not to get ripped in their fun?

 James Fagan. James Fagan’s History Blog. Tuesday, 18 February 2014. http://jamesfaganhistoryblog.blogspot.com/

About the Poet:

James Fagan, New Zealand, (fl 2013-14). [DES-11/17]

I first began writing poetry as a young man. However, more than thirty years lapsed before I began to write historical articles. Many of these have featured in the historical Memories Magazine and the historical Heritage Matters Magazine. Many of my poems have also been published in the latter two magazines.

I finally returned to writing contemporary poetry as my main writing genre. I have recited my poetry at over sixty schools throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand as well as at pubs, libraries and at marae. Some of my poems have featured in the Poetry New Zealand Journal.

I have been involved in theatre and hope you enjoy my Elizabethan Recital Blog. Over the years my employment has included shepherding , working on building sites, being a postman, contributing as a mental health worker and working as a general health worker.

from the ‘About’ page at James Fagan’s History Blog.

Additional information:

  • On  Elizabethan blog are Shakespearean works that Fagan has presented over the years or recited in secondary schools and to the wider public.
  • Fagan’s Poetry blog was published to include the text of some of the poems that he has written over the years. Photos have also been included.
  • The New Zealand Back Country Recitals offer Fagan reciting the small range of country poems he has written. They endeavour to capture the tone of New Zealand’s unique country heritage.
  • The New Zealand Country Poetry Recitals. Here Fagan is reciting a small range of country poems that other New Zealand poets have written. They have been included as a remembrance of New Zealand’s unique country heritage.
  • The History Blog shares written text and photos about historical topics Fagan is interested in.