Peering from her comfy
Den, a red fox wakes from
Her winter nap, prancing
About the fragrant forest,
Yearning for a tasty treat.
Through eminent stands of
Douglas Fir, robed wind~blown
Snow, a teensy field mouse
Rustles about, unaware of its
Coming fate.
Going in for the pounce,
Leaping skyward, ivory teeth
Sinking in for one fleeting
Moment, bolting down slippery
Gullet, slithers a gnomish mouse.
Her tummy cram full with juicy
Delight; she wanders into a turbulent
Stream, quenching thirst from her
Wintry slumber.
Feeling frisky in cherry red fur,
She yearns for a noontide mate.
Digging natal dens to warm her young,
She prepares for more piquant treats.
Author notes
This is my first poem I've written about wildlife in nature. It's a bit graphic, but that's what I was aiming for, really. For the wildlife in nature, it's really about survival of the fittest. Red foxes have little trouble gathering food, for they are cunning scavengers, and not picky with what they find to eat.
Foxes are commonly hunted for sport, which is something I have always had issues with. I'm fine with hunting if it's a means for survival, but I am adamantly opposed to hunting wildlife for recreation. It's unfortunate that humankind has become the thing they most fear.
Photo credit: www.funportal.com
A contest entry
- Quick Pic Contest by Zephyr Aryn.
600 points, ended June 28, 2007, 9 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - whatever you want by Anonymous Shadow.
600 points, ended October 1, 2007, 119 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Give me your best Pre-write. by islekine.
600 points, ended September 28, 2007, 31 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Wildlife In Its Natural Habitat by misticmoonlite.
475 points, ended October 14, 2007, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Congratulations on the two honorable mention this poem has excellent imagery I love foxes they are cute I got close up fphotos of some kits one time suprised my self at how close i got they were busy searching for field mice and i crept up on them Excellent Write
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Awesome write...LM
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Thank you kindly.
I'm so glad that you enjoyed this. It was my first poem I wrote about wildlife.
Knight70
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This post is so good with the way the foxes live,,very nice visual look into there habitat.thank you for the entry and good luck in our contest,MM
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Thank you kindly, misticmoonlite.
I definitely love to write about nature. I noticed from your author page that you write a lot about nature, too. Knight70
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This piece maintains an excellent atmosphere...
it takes the reader there and these scenes unfold vividly. That's always what you wish for when reading of Nature. Blue
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Very descriptive. A tale of nature, in all her splendor and in what may seem a bit horrifying as well. Very nicely done. ~Pamela
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Thank you, Pamela.
I wish I wasn't getting my internet shut off tomorrow. I want to read through more of your work. I will read through a few of your poems today, though. I figure it will probably be a month or so, before I can my internet turned back on. I really enjoyed writing this poem. I wanted to give it a realistic feel of survival of the fittest. I wanted to be able to get inside the head of this red fox some. Certainly, a teensy field mouse is a "tasty treat" for the fox. Red foxes are very sneaky. They have little trouble surviving once they awaken from hibernation. They are scavengers.
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This was lovely...I felt as if I were eavesdropping on this fox. Good luck in the contest
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Thanks again.
That was my first wildlife poem. I enjoyed writing it. In the winter, it's basically "survival of the fittest," and the red fox has little trouble surviving, even in extremely cold months.
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I really like this because it is realistic and you give a great description and detailing through the whole poem. I really like the ending:
Feeling frisky in cherry red fur,
she yearns for a noontide mate;
Digging natal dens to warm her young,
she heads back out for another tasty treat
Good luck in the contest
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Thank you so much.
I love to write about nature, but that was my first shot at wildlife, so I wasn't sure how I did with that.
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This is a very realistic and natural view of the life of the red fox, and really was a pleasure to read. I've always loved the Red Fox because the small town in Canada where I was born, Sintaluta, means 'Tale Of The Red Fox' in either Cree or Sioux, I am not sure which. Anyway, you have a wonderful poetic talent. Thanks for sharing this excellent piece, and best of luck in the contest.
David Michaels
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Thank you, David.
I sure appreciate that. I write a lot of nature poetry, but this was my first attempt to write about wildlife. I wanted to give it a feel of "survival of the fittest." The red fox is one of the few wild animals that comes out of hibernation in January that has little trouble surviving the cold. They're not picky at all with what they eat, either.
Don Winslow
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Great poem and I hope you do well in this contest. I enjoyed learning a little about the fox through your poem. We have a resident fox in the woods in front of our house. Our only concern about the fox is our small dog, so we always have her on a leash when we take her out. The part about "the catch" and how it was "devoured" was a tad bit gory but certainly written well! LOL Best of luck! C
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Thank you so much.
I sure appreciate that. I know it was a bit graphic with the visual, but I was aiming for that a little, as I was thinking along the lines of survival for the fox.
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You are a wonderful storyteller indeed, knowing just how to draw me in for the kill.... so to speak.
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That means so much.
I really enjoyed writing that yesterday. Zephyr posted his contest with a drawing he had done of a fox, and that drew me in right away. I'm an artist myself, so I love to let the creativity flow when I'm inspired by art. All I can say for the teensy mouse is "Bummer for you, buddy!" I can't imagine what it would be like to be the "tasty treat." A red fox will eat anything small, but field mice are one of their favorites. They also love to raid campgrounds for leftovers. I did a lot of research on them yesterday. -
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wow... now I'm REALLY impressed!
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You are too kind.
*grin
*
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this is a real treat about an urban neighbour..my first contest was called "Sly" focusing on a fox i photographed at close range..if you had submitted then, you would have won a trophy. thank you so much ..peter
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Thanks, Peter.
That's a "tasty treat." I sure do feel for that teensy mouse.
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Lovely imagery. I like how you had me spend some time with the fox, getting a glimpse of her routine. Best of wishes to you!
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Thank you very much, Zephyr.
I really enjoyed writing that one. Thank you for submitting your drawing for inspiration. -
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No problem. I just happened upon it, and thought it would be a nifty idea.
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