The Hare
Ears held aloft like radar dishes
Black tipped with independent swivel
Attuned to catch the faintest sound
Even when he's crouched to nibble.
Unblinking eyes on constant watch
His amber stare alert, aware,
While every hair and every whisker
Is poised to catch the slightest whisper
He scents the air while nostrils quiver
Constantly scanning round for danger
Alarm when sensed, this timorous hare
A whiff of scent - a hint of sound
Ears folded flat across his back
He sinks invisible into the ground
So clever is his camouflage
That where before was sitting hare
No eye discerns that he is there
Hugging the earth distinguished not
From ridge and furrow or turned earth clod
This solitary creature doesn't share
His company with other hares
Till when spring comes he's out to dance
With other hares he'll gambol and prance
They run and race and circle and chase
And stand upright and box each other
Then scamper again with leap and bound
Brimming with life they abandon their cover
Along they tear, all dangers dare
While all the joys of spring spill over
