The Outrider…
Close to the perimeter of the scrubland copse,
Like a shifty outrider,
One stealthy badger scurried
Through the thickening foliage and hurried
In its scouting, as I watched, an outsider,
Upwind, hardly daring to breathe and motionless…
Edging the perimeter of the dried earth copse,
Like it was reconnoitring,
The lithe badger surged
Through the twisting undergrowth, urged
On by hunger, as I stared, loitering,
Upwind, barely daring to move and expressionless…
The mission successful,
Other adults emerged,
The marathon had been stressful,
But food morsels were soon purged.
And during an evening shoot, a rifle fired
And rain pattered on leaves freshly grown;
And birdsong objected, as hoarse geese tired
And a curious tension by darkness was sewn…
Pete Ray
12th April 2022
The outriding badger seemed to be checking the outer limits of the copse for any signs of danger.
It raced back, just as other adults emerged to eat the food laid down.
I dared not move, for the twig is mightier than the gun…
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