After rain,
worms wriggle
from their burrows,
only to drown
in the lane’s deep furrows
puddled with water
and clotted
with mud.
Further along,
where the shadows
gather, I turn to look back
at the sinking
of the rosy sun and see,
surreptitiously
padding,
a dog fox.
He lowers
his rusty head
and gulps a mouthful
of worms, an entrée
before he slinks away,
ears pricked towards
the nearest frog or mouse,
rabbit hutch or hen house.
Kim M. Russell, 21st January 2023
Image by Eric Mclean on Unsplash
For the dVerse Poets Pub first Saturday Open Link Live.
writing in north norfolk 
A serendipitous encounter
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Indeed.
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Snap. There was a fox walking across our grass this morning when I came downstairs.
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They get about!
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I enjoyed hearing you read this today, Kim. Such a vivid portrait of the fox. I know we have foxes around here, but I’ve never seen one.
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We’re lucky around here. Our village is quiet, although we do have some through traffic, and animals like the empty lanes and peaceful gardens by the moorings.
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I know other people who have seen them here. And I’m sure they must see them around the farms.
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Are the worms the entree or the appetizer? Lovely sighting of a fox, Kim!
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Both, I suppose. Foxes aren’t choosy!
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Worms, eh? Yum. Also: Foxburgers are delicious!
Thanks for sharing.
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🙂
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I’m right there with every move the fox makes. Nice to see you live today!
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Thank you, Colleen, I was delighted to see you too!
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You paint a natural picture of the wild. Cycle of life and death, danger always present. It was great to hear you recite this one, Kim 😁
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Thank you, Jay.
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Nature
Clever Fox
Graceful Moves
Conserving Every
Calorie When Frogs
And Mice
No Longer
Numerous
For Fuel To Breathe
At Best We Feed The
Worms Aerating Soul
Soils For Green to Come Again
With
SMiLes
Dear Kim..:)
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Smiles back to you! 😁
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Thanks!!☺️🏝🙌
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It was so lovely to see and hear you read again at Open Link LIVE, Kim 😍 Quite a vivid portrait of the fox! I would love to see one someday! 💖💖
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Thank you, Sanaa. Yes, that would be lovely.
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Beautifully painted with words, Kim!
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Cheers Ingrid!
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Loved to hear you read it, and maybe with all those worms, the hens will be safe from the fox.
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Lovely poem! As a fox, I can relate. Worms are a wonderful snack 🙂
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Thank you my vulpine friend!
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