ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

SUFFICIENT UNTO THE DAY … Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet

Eyes in the dark, slitted and bold – thick pelt of russet fur.
The lives of many up for grabs if it were up to her,
the open moorland not her friend
circuitous her route did wend
through scrub and long grass – colours blend
with the deep gold of moonlight.

The red moon held no fears for her, its coppery colour matched
her own thick fur, in fact ‘twas as if they had been colour batched.
The west wind blew into her face
she moved with quiet stealthy grace
her eyes were on the prize and chase.
Across the lake they waited.

A moorhen clucked a warning sound – feathers ruffled in fright
but with her hatchlings newly fledged was not inclined to flight.
Tucked safe within their peat bog nest
they’d nought to fear from feral pest
who tonight had a different quest,
avoiding guns and roses.

The farm dogs tied by ropes and chains did not discern her scent.
No warning bark was raised to warn the farm of her intent.
The chooks were perched asleep at roost
not one of them had yet deduced
that cooked perchance now was their goose …
she struck with quick precision.

A muted cackle, feathers flew and sleepy chook eyes fluttered
before they had chance to react their pen was decluttered.
With victim clenched tight in her jaw
she scaled the fence – was free once more
and wraith like slunk across the moor.
Her own kits needed feeding.

And telling stories as I do, it’s time for the awakening
for all to realize that greed is our poor world now shaking.
The fox may steal – but not for greed
she just has hungry mouths to feed
and never takes more than she needs.
And that’s my story ending.

Interesting choice of title Maureen. The full quote is a bit cryptic " Do not then take thought of to-morrow; to-morrow will take care of itself, sufficient to the day is its own evil ".

Exactly Neville - which pretty much describes a fox's thought train I reckon as they are, like most predators ,opportunistic little critters for whom I have to say I have a soft spot.

Such a wonderful poem, Maureen.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Great imagery throughout

Thank you Allan Pleased you saw the picture

I saw the picture. Tally Ho ! Where's me horses and hounds.

You think you could still get on a horse Neville?

oow got me right in the cringe.

Thanks for the kind comments everyone - as a kid growing up in UK and being horse mad - fox hunting was a time of great excitement and their were a few hunts where I lived. The end result however was far from exciting for the fox and once seen never forgotten and my sympathy has, ever since, always been with the fox.

Interestingly whilst we (humans) strive to eliminate the feral pest (our view) from every part of the earth - we also then turn around and whinge constantly about the vermin that invades us. In parts of Australia - rabbits are a huge problem, ditto wild pigs, roos from time to time are in plague proportions, we have mice plagues, feral goats and deer get culled. I wonder did it cross anyones mind that the fox , dingo and eagle are the natural predators of all of these? They will also attack sheep and cattle but one should weigh one up against the other. Of course we don't do that though and so set out to eliminate the 'sheep killers'.

Why do humans always think they know best? Seems to me that Mother Nature had a perfectly formed plan for managing the earth and its inhabitants of all species with all the checks and balances right there in place. Our arrogance though constantly causes us to disagree with her.

...interesting comments Maureen, I seem to recall being chastised for singing the praises of the humble crow some time ago for the very reasons you have just outlined...now who could have done that?...