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THE OLD FOX AND ME

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Published by Linda Wigzell Cress on June 16, 2012 - 16:52
from the ABC set POETRY

He looks up at the balcony
Lifts grizzled head expectantly;
Though old and limping, fur quite grey
His eyes are bright as this May day:
He seems to frown and want to say :
‘Where’s my old mate; where can he be?’
As he looks up at the balcony.

But soon he sees I am alone;
There is nobody now at home:
And so he stands there in the rain
He sniffs my food and feels my pain.
His old friend will not come again.
Tonight no doubt he’ll sore bemoan
His old pal, and will feel alone.

It’s long ago and far away
We saw that fox cub run and play!
Sleek, bushy-tailed and bright of eye
He slowed down as the years went by
But still he’d come, and Dad would try
To feed him daily, watch and talk
Until they both could scarcely walk.

We said goodbye, old fox and me
I told him that there soon would be
A new friend for him in the flat
To watch and feed him; things like that;
I saw him rise from where he sat;
As he limped away, I knew we’d be
Forever friends, old fox and me.

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum


Comments

beaste | June 16, 2012 - 18:25

thats really sweet =-) though its a bit sad at the same time, is it based on a real story?

Linda Wigzell Cress | June 16, 2012 - 19:39

Hi.Yes it is true. My Dad passed away recently, and I was clearing his flat when his old mate the fox appeared, and I knew it had to be a poem! Thank you for your lovely comment.
Linda

scratch | June 16, 2012 - 20:59

Do you know what Linda that reads really well and gets stronger and stronger. For me I liked allowing myself a little indulgence and blurring the identity of the old fox In the speakers psyche... A lovely play.

Linda Wigzell Cress | June 16, 2012 - 21:23

Thanks Scratch, you are right on message with your commentt, this is a poem I felt compelled to write, I kept thinking about it and its still in my head. I wondered if it needed another verse between the last two in explanation or is the simplicity enough? I would value your opinion.
Linda

scratch | June 17, 2012 - 00:26

My advice for what it's worth; simplicity is the better thing Linda. What you have here raises the question and the thought - thereby lies the undoubted quality.

Linda Wigzell Cress | June 17, 2012 - 00:34

Much appreciated Scratch. I'll leave as is.
Linda

Silver Spun Sand | June 20, 2012 - 07:46

I really enjoyed this, Linda, and I agre with scratch, that simplicity is best left simple. A poignant but beautiful story.

Tina

Linda Wigzell Cress | June 20, 2012 - 08:03

Thanks Tina. Its hard to say goodbye. Glad you liked the story.
Linda

bazzacozza | June 21, 2012 - 19:30

Well done Linda. This has a nice tempo to it and is easy to see that it's from real life so nicely have you painted the picture.

Linda Wigzell Cress | June 21, 2012 - 20:19

Thanks Baz. I went to Dads place for the very last time yesterday. I looked over the balcony, but the old fox did not come.
Linda