The Night Fox (after Ted Hughes)

A fox came to my street
Sleek backed,
His spine bone china
Beneath the heel of my
Outstretched hand.
I watched him follow
The drunkard's line
With louche intent,
A tight sling in his step,
An urban slink
Before he turned
And fixed me with the
Kiss of a vicious lick
Along the sideline of my face,
Leaving me numb with love,
Stopping me abruptly on this
Self-styled track where
Art and Nature fumble in the dark.
I asked myself if he might leave a mark -
When in truth, the only proof
Was the imprint of road stones
To my bent knees,
The sequins shining on my ruby shoes,
The dust on the edge of
My second best
Second hand dress.