The US Marine Corps have a prayer – its called the Riflemans Creed as every marine is required to be a trained rifleman. History and tradition give the US marines an extremely close relationship with their rifles … and given Archers love their bows at least as much as marines love their rifles, perhaps we should have a creed/prayer as well:
This is my bow.
There are many others like it, but this one is mine so don’t even think about touching it.
My bow is my best friend.
It is my life even when I am asleep because I dream about archery.
I must master it as I must master my bad language when I make a lousy shot.
Without me, my bow would probably win every competition it goes to.
Without my bow, I would have to shoot a training bow and that would make me sad.
I must shoot my bow true.
I must shoot better than my opponents, who are trying to steal medals that are rightly mine…
… and I will pretend to be confident even though I’m as nervous as a cat in a dog pound.
Before the archery gods I swear this creed:
My bow and I will defend our position in the Scottish rankings, we will master our class and we will pay the mortgages of coaches.
So be it, until I’m in the Scottish squad and everyone gets peace from my endless whynging.
Amen.
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Image by cocoparisienne from Pixabay
