The Urban Fox (just a thing I though I would share)

by CJ Maleney   Aug 1, 2018


The sun begins to set.

Rabbits are bouncing here and there around my truck enjoying the final rays of a spectacular summer's evening.

44 tones of truck and driver watching loud action movies did not phase them one iota.

The sun eventually dips away and they vanish with it.

Darkness descends and the earth cools a little, much to my relief.

It's night creature time now!

Time for the hunters and scavengers to hunt what ever food from whatever source they can.

Most will not even notice, but if you are quiet and still it's amazing what comes wandering by.

I've seen badgers and deer bimble by unwittingly on a regular basis.

Tonight, it was the smallest fox I have ever seen.
It was so small and skinny! But still it had that amazing coat.

Absolutely nature at its best aesthetically.

Back and fourth it went, almost like it had a grid on the ground to cover. Left and right, up and down. So so methodical.

It would find no sustenance here though as this is not a woodland, forest or field.
This is a poxy industrial estate in the north east of England.

I sat and watched for a while thinking poor thing. Then thought hang on! I still have half a chicken left.

I threw some out.

The wee thing crawled up, took a piece, ran off and ate it at a distance.
It came back time after time.
Realising I was no threat it finished it's meal right beside my door.

I felt good inside. Then I think! have I done right or wrong?

People see urban foxes as vermin! I bet they think the same of us.

The land upon which your home stands was once a forest, meadow or field. They have not encroached into our territory and habitat then destroyed it. We have desolated theirs.

Who has the greater right and claim to existence?

I would argue that it is not man!

5


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Latest Comments

  • 5 years ago

    by Em (marmite)

    Absolutely loved this Craig. I love reading your poetry stories (that's what I feel they are anyway) anyway... I remember when I was working nights (my first job) cleaning Tesco and I used to ride my bike and see a fox family nearly every night on the prowl, I used to love watching them and once I got so carried away that I was late and had to come up with some excuse though I can't remember what I used at the time as it was over 12 years ago now lol but hey ho least I got to see the foxes hunting etc and I didn't lose my job win win if you ask me.
    Take care x

    • 5 years ago

      by CJ Maleney

      Thanks our Em

      I guess it is more of a little story as I certainly don't think of it as poetry.

      That it's been nominated I find humbling if a little embarrassing. Not sure if it's worthy of the company it keeps.

      Craig x

  • 5 years ago

    by Dagmar Wilson

    Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed reading

    • 5 years ago

      by CJ Maleney

      I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I'm not sure if it classifies as poetry but I figured it was a nice thing to float

      Regards

      Craig

  • 5 years ago

    by Meena Krish

    Very true these very land/forest/woods which we claim as
    ours is and never was because before us it was mother nature
    who gave birth to this vast land and brought out all her little
    creatures before man started slaying her.

    I liked the simplicity of this write and the thoughts and feelings
    of something so beautiful with so many different creatures which
    we take it for granted and even sometimes kill..

    • 5 years ago

      by CJ Maleney

      Thank you Meena. I always love the perception with which you view things.

      Craig x

  • 5 years ago

    by Mr. Darcy

    Morning, Craig.

    I've recently started working part- time as a household removal driver. I too have found myself parked up for the night, musing on nature while tucking into my fish and chips.
    Back at home we regularly feed the foxes. They are truly beautiful creatures. A couple of them, though, had mange (a mite that feeds on them, making their coats matted and dull. We treat their food and can report their glossy golden coats are returning.
    There are people who regard them as a nuisance and treat them like rats as they encroach into our gardens. The fox, like the rat are only trying to survive as their habitat is being ruined by us! We are the ones who need to act responsibly and not like parasites. Really we are no better than the mite who lives on that fox.

    Craig, thanks for sharing this. BTW. Typo with the word 'quite' should be 'quiet'

    Take care,
    Michael

    • 5 years ago

      by CJ Maleney

      Yup they are pretty amazing creatures. Such a shame that their natural environment is gradually being eaten away.

  • 5 years ago

    by deeplydesturbed

    what a beautiful poem.
    I too would feed the fox.. They are stunning creatures indeed.

    • 5 years ago

      by CJ Maleney

      Thank you and yeah they are pretty stunning.

      Craig

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