The Fox and the Siamese

Cherry

By marandina

Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • 739 reads
18 comments
 

Life can be pure magic sometimes.

 

The Fox and the Siamese

Another rocket hit a building,

a mushroom cloud billowing

across my television screen,

carnage and war in the East.

 

As the sun set in the west

and dusk ushered in night

I stared obliquely through

a bay window at the street.

 

It was then that they passed,

manically chasing and chased,

like a freed circus double act,

a red vulpine vision grinning.

 

Running like loons side by side,

a Siamese cat pursuing a vixen,

up and up, round and round,

propelled to the crescent top.

 

A vulpine tarantella at sundown,

a sight I never expected to see,

If only I could’ve caught on film,

pictures painted for the ages.

 

Now I sit and wait most evenings

for the fox and feline to return,

eggs left out as canine offerings

only attract ubiquitous seagulls.

 

In my mind’s eye I see them

disappearing around the corner

leaving a trail of mystery in

their combined animal wake.

 

Life is a series of moments,

beauty unexpectedly extant,

our wildlife heritage precious,

this coalition of co-existence.

 

 

 

Image free to use via WikiCommons at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vulpes_vulpes_DSC_0853-topaz-den...

 

 

 

Certificate PG
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Catching, recording in your mind, and in words maybe better than a shaky, hasty film could have been!

So much of drama around, and even the glimpse we see of the terrible, we have no knowledge of much of the detail that is occurring — and maybe unseen kindnesses. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Yes, I guess it was a kindness. Watching wildlife in an urban setting is quite magical and a privilege if lucky enough to see it. I count myself lucky on this occasion. Thanks for reading it, Rhiannon.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

A wonderful moment to capture, beautifully painted and much needed in these times. Thank you for sharing it marandina

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, insert. It was a jaw-dropping moment. I so want to get a pic of that fox. It's been passed the front of the house a few times, always as darkness approaches. I'm told a fox brought a litter of cubs here to visit a few years ago. Just imagine! :)

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

that sounds amazing! There's a great account on Instagram - I think it's called fox guardians, and it's a person who cares for a number of wild fox families. You should take a look!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh yes! Thank you. Just added them. Absolutely wonderful!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI4I14NNop1/

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

the daring Siamese cat must have been very brave to chase the fox. This is the kind of situation that probably will never be seen again. It's a great poem and you've captured the moment perfectly.

Like Rhiannon said, if you'd filmed the scene, it wouldn't have been as coherent.

Many thanks for sharing this fascinating sight.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Jenny. Maybe the poem wouldn't have been written if I had got a pic. Who knows? What I do know is that image of them gambolling up the street together will stay with me always :) 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the cherries, Eds!

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

A piece of beauty in the midst of all the stuff clanging in our ears and eyes. In the street I lived in before we had an urban fox who trotted around at night as though he/she owned the place, which was lovely, except when they raided the bins. Fair play, though. One should wrap one's chicken carcasses up better when there's a fox around!

Submitted by Di_Hard on

What an amazing thing to see! Perhaps you will end up making friends with the sea gulls as well, they are such characters :0)

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading Jane and Di. 

I have no truck with the gulls. There's a nest with baby seagulls in a few doors down. Located in an inactive chimney. (I hope it's inactive). They are good value but do have habit of leaving offerings of their own everywhere!  

 

Submitted by Jessiibear on

What a surreal and lovely sight that must’ve been.

The image of a fox and Siamese in a “vulpine tarantella” is going to stay with me. Life really does surprise us sometimes—thank you for capturing the magic here. 

Jessheart

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the lovely comment, Jessiibear. The whole thing's probably too narrational and doesn't make the reader work hard enough to distil the meaning but I'm better at poetry than I was. I'll get there eventually. Thanks again for reading it :)

 

Submitted by celticman on

wonderful. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers, CM. 

 

Submitted by hilary west on

Terrible things happening in the world yet we can experience a lovely vignette of fox and feline under our very noses. Nice contrast.

hilary   yessmiley

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Hilary. Nice to see you around again. Hoping all is well.