Sunday, November 28, 2010

On a Diamond Fringed in Dark


Biking home from class one night
Through an empty city park
Glimpsing gave me quite a fright
On a diamond fringed in dark

Calmly sitting on the mound
In dark gloom’s obscurity
I was shocked at what I’d found
Staring fearless back at me

Two black eyes in shadows gleamed
Also twitching black tipped ears
Took me in - I thought I dreamed
Both of us forgetting fears

I stood beneath a harsh park light
While under moonless clouded sky
He sat regal, that feral sprite
So I thought to coax him nigh

And to my complete surprise
After I just clicked my tongue
He came close with watchful eyes
That small red fox so brave, so young

And when within ten feet he came
He sniffed and watched me close with care
Head atilt and tale aflame
He wondered at my prolonged stare

But then some noisy passers-by
Startled brave but wary fox
To his throne he sauntered spry
Upon his noiseless white-trimmed socks

And when I told of what I’d seen
Speaking of our short rapport
Their lack of interest was obscene
They said they’d seen it all before

Perhaps those passers were correct
Our odd meet was not the first
But is it best to just neglect
Beasts in urban lands immersed?

When the park was once more free
And I in thinking silence stood
The fox came back to question me
To see just what a strange thing would

Looking downwards at his grin
I threw this city fox a bite
He poked the crumb with his white chin
And sniffed to check if it’s alright

He wolfed his tiny morsels down
And opened wide his mouth to chew
Vigilantly he checked around
To see if I had more to strew


Once I’d lingered long enough
I left hardly making a sound
He watched me closely from the rough
Then strolled back to his noble mound

How long he stayed upon his throne
And watched over his whole domain
That I know I will not own
Perhaps I’ll see him once again

We all need silent stops at night
Inside gardens, beach or park
You never know what waits your sight
On a diamond fringed in dark




(I wrote this for my creative writing class, it's also a true story. Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/permuted)


http://jinglepoetry.blogspot.com/

35 comments:

  1. Fantastic write, yet on the same side, it's sort of a dark tale in that we have encroached on their home that no doubt the fox would be seen as the encroacher by animal services. glad that it was not so on the night that you and the fox had a sharing of the vista

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  2. Wonderful imagery! I love stumbling upon wild creatures when out hiking in the woods! Great job!

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  3. very authentic and beautiful portrayal of fox at night...
    lovely message behind your entry,
    well done!
    Thanks for sharing it with potluck.

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  4. I just loved this. I live for having contact like that with our wildlife friends. I love how respectful you were to this little fox who was so curious about you.

    Thanks for sharing this today.

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  5. Excellent imagery, great flow. I'm also fond of the subject--have written for Canadian Wildlife mag. and would love to be sent out into the field to photograph and observe...
    thanks for sharing.

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  6. @ abthomas: I agree it is kind of sad that he is sort of an outcast in this urban landscape that once belonged to just animals. At time he adjusts and we adjust and we should try to find ways to coexist. Thanks for commenting.

    @ artandwhine: Thanks!

    @ Jingle: Always a pleasure. Thanks for creating an awesome online community.

    @ bodhirose: Thanks for your kind comments.

    @ heathergracestewart: I'd love to write for someone like Canadian Wildlife mag. I love the outdoors. Thanks for the compliments.

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  7. I think foxes are very beautiful, but I'm not a poultry farmer!

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  8. You captured well that need in our psyche to connect to the animal world, to regain some of our natural humanity, and the curiosity and reverence for life many seem to lose after childhood. Enjoyed it.

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  9. Wow, lucky you! I'd love to encounter a fox, although I'd probably become petrified with fright. A tale well-told, I love the words and their flow!

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  10. What a fortunate encounter amidst the city park... amazing imagery.

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  11. It is beautiful as a jewel, truly amazing =D

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  12. FANTASTIC!My heart was beating fast as I read on.What a meeting.Wonder if I will be lucky to meet one.

    Superb write.

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  13. A lovely eulogy to your fox!
    They are so common in towns here that it's so easy to take them for granted.

    http://jessicasjapes.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/sister/

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  14. Isn't it wonderful to encounter such animals in unexpected places! That park must have been its habitat before human took over.
    Beautifully narrated. Thank you for sharing.

    http://wordsworthmillions.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/human-and-animal/
    http://wordsworthmillions.wordpress.com/2010/05/08/and-they-held-me/

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  15. Amazing! Wonderfully composed. I loved it.

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  16. Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments. I really appreciate them all.

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  17. Oh such vibrant imagrs your words conjure....brilliant

    cheers

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  18. What a story, so well described and the words flowing brilliantly! Thanks for sharing!

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  19. What a wonderful experience. This is the second poem I've read today that made me think of "The Little Prince." Have you read it? By Antoine de St.Exupery. Read it in French if you can. Very nicely written.

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  20. I've always been intrigued by the fox — the high intelligence, the ceaseless movement — but only recently had the good fortune of an encounter similar to yours. I had seen her before in the pre-dawn darkness, loping through the open area behind my place, but hadn't thought to wish her a good morning. When I did, I was surprised to see her stop, sit down, and gaze at me as if waiting for me to say more. I didn't, having become a bit tongue-tied by her unexpected response.

    Great story!

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  21. Nice Jeff. That is a great story!

    Strangely enough the above poem was actually the second time I encountered a fox at very close proximity this year. One morning this summer, when I was waiting for the bus in the minutes before dawn, a fox came up beside me. It was about seven to ten feet away. It just looked at me and then crossed the road. It didn't seem to be afraid of me or even think my presence was significant.
    If I see another fox I might take it as an omen or something. Oh, and by the way, I live in the largest city in Canada not a village or town.

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  22. I really like it! It really captures the 'magic' of moments like that. Well done!

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  23. "beasts in urban lands immersed" - was the line that really struck me first. It made me think of reversingthe words a bit to fit us non-foxes... 'urban beasts in land immersed' it felt foreign & made me wonder if the fox felt that way or if it felt at home.

    Thanks for the great narrative poem! I loved being reminded how poetic urban wildlife can be (& of a fox-encounter I had a few months ago an how they are both so brave/curious and careful.

    Great poem.

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  24. "beasts in urban lands immersed" - was the line that really struck me first. It made me think of reversingthe words a bit to fit us non-foxes... 'urban beasts in land immersed' it felt foreign & made me wonder if the fox felt that way or if it felt at home.

    Thanks for the great narrative poem! I loved being reminded how poetic urban wildlife can be (& of a fox-encounter I had a few months ago an how they are both so brave/curious and careful.

    Great poem.

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  25. Fabulous, fantastic, superb, excellent :)
    Thanks for sharing this poem...

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  26. very nice... i loved the.. noiseless white-trimmed socks...

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  27. Awesome! Wonderful write! i loved the 'noiseless white-trimmed socks' too! yet all of it was magically written. nice rhythm!

    enjoyed it very much
    thank you
    and thank you for your visit and your comment
    take care!

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  28. What a wonderful poem and delightful adventure. I enjoying sharing it - however vicarously - through your well wrought poem. Foxes are great!

    Happy potluck!

    JamieDedes

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  29. I hope people will realize that we humans are the trespassers not them...We have taken so much from them ad gave nothing. Great story-telling skills.

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  30. Beautifully written! There is so much truth to this story...for the most part people are always in a rush or out of touch with the present and never notice things like this. That is a beautiful encounter with nature and expressed so well are the feelings between the human and the animal!

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  31. the wild fox... great topic for a poem and you made it live and breathe

    Warmest Salad

    Luke @ WordSalad

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  32. i want to thank all you guys again for your supportive comments. No writer writes to a vacuum. We all want to be appreciated, whether we admit it or not.

    Thanks :)

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I value any feedback, positive or negative.