Tag: foxes

Fox, Alert

Once, upon a green and white day, I walked
with shades of blue and grey above
and occasional muted pools of golden light
along the way

Cold and still, it was as
wrapped in thoughts and clothes
I lumbered on
taking weary steps in heavy boots
glad to be out but ill at ease
and with no easy motion

Then, suddenly, up ahead
a quick quiet movement of life
and limbs
and fur of warm brown red

A dog, I thought, at first - but no -
a fox!

I stopped and stared
and thrilled at each tight turn

Alert though not aware of me
she moved, close enough to see
the splash of white
upon her breast
no cunning vixen, she
with body, mind and spirit
in perfect poise
and purposeful grace
beside the still
and silent
trees

Doing what she needed to do
being what she needed to be

But then I moved
and she was gone

So I carried on 
through the green and white day
with shades of blue and grey
moving easier now
but missing her and wishing
that our eyes had met
that I hadn't seemed a threat

For in her hungry hunt for food
she had nourished me
and warmed my heart
while her cold search
went on

Alone, both
and alive

She free, and I
a few steps closer now
to being
me

(c) Maggie Baker 1998 & Glad the Poet 2020