The fox is sleeping

At the side of the road the fox lies sleeping
In the heart of farmland and homeland
Stretched out as if at ease
Legs obediently paired
Tailed tucked in, snout out in relief


Is he dreaming of days
Spring in his step
Rolling with brothers
Outside the den

But then a scurried slinking
at the sound of a hound
Hidden in this grave earth
Snuffling, shuffling Mother Earth

She will embrace him now
This proud guardian of kin
She will see he return to earth
From which he sprung

And come Spring days
She will see a clutch of cubs
Rolling in the evening's haze
wondering where he is
While he lies sleeping
At the side of the road