sad ignoble fox
comes a - scavenging
silent as a thistle blown
nuzzles the bins, their humpty backs
for smorgasbord and bone
thus with brisk and skulking eye
seeks out our surplus
cast off on a tide
this wild and weary fox trips out
may starve may thrive
where death may hide.
written with all the skill of a master id say. have to agree, the nuzzle/humpty line is a classic. great stuff.
Ray, I love this too, it captures the sharp and stealthy nature of the fox so well, and more great lines, including "nuzzles the bins, their humpty backs". Thanks for posting this. Paul
<Deleted User> (13762)
Tue 10th Jan 2017 09:07
love this and love them.
I like that you get straight to the point with 'sad ignoble fox' - that Mr Fox has been forced to come to the big city to make a living and has now become a scrawnier version of his country cousin.
I can't help but think there is an analogy hidden here - with migrants past and present who have moved from country to city and ended up scraping a living in the slums and shanty towns of the poor - where they 'may strive may thrive' and 'where death may hide' in the search for food and a better life.
Cheers
Col
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raypool
Tue 10th Jan 2017 19:35
Really so nice to get the sort of praise that inspires me to continually strive to please and pass on my thoughts to the likes of you in your own poetic practises. Colin: I think you have a point about the analogy , certainly an issue which deserves attention to say the least. I'm glad you transcribed some of the qualities of our fox to the less fortunate.
Lots of foxes get run over -always worth keeping an eye out for, my wife's aunt always puts chicken out for them!
Thanks for liking this Paul. Incidentally I know you have been uplifted by comments on the site and have been drawn in to the creative pot which is evident to me through channelling your skills . A give and take situation !
Stu, lovely you're back with your worthy thoughts and putting your own stuff on too - you do me credit, sir.
Just to let you all know, following Colin's poem in a similar vein( and after your suggestion thanks) i'm reposting In the Valleys . I hope it might appeal !
Aythankgyow.
Ray