She slipped from the long grass beside the gateway where the fat lambs escape, brushed through the campion and cow parsley and sprang out into the lane.I think I must have surprised her - and she surprised me darting out like that - for her body made a little high-heeled flick before, catching her stride, she loped on ahead of the pick-up. For 10, 20, 50, 100 yards she raced ahead, gaining in speed while I slowed down. Lean, long-legged and lithe, pelt sleek, ears black-tipped, she carried no extra weight - a young animal perhaps.
She was not to know I was not hunting her down, a motorised predator in pursuit of meat. With a swift turn to the left she gained the safety of the wilderness that is a neighbour's land. There, lost from sight amongst grass, nettle and dock, she can wait safe in a damp green bower for the engine's roar to fade away. I imagine her little heart thumping until all her highly attuned senses tell her it is safe to return to the hill.
A lovely surprise for (yet another) wet May day.
The hart, he loves the high wood;
The hare, she loves the hill;
The knight, he loves his bright sword;
The lady loves her will.
The hare, she loves the hill;
The knight, he loves his bright sword;
The lady loves her will.
13 comments:
I can just hear her little heart thumping. They are such fit animals. The world of nature is so busy all around us. It's lovely to have these up close encounters. x
You got it in so few words - the way the hare moves - that jump and run. The deer to it to - sometimes bounding as though they're on pogo sticks.
We used to have a healthy population of hares here. I haven't seen 1 this year, the poachers have killed the lot.
Occasionally see Hares on the fields behind West Green House. I'd watch whilst sitting under the vast Oak, and try not to scare them away.
Fantastic to have such a close encounter with one.
Lovely blog. I can see why they were always considered to be magical creatures.
Love sighting and beautiful post, Mountainear.
Beautiful post. I used to love seeing hares boxing in the kale fields near our Worcestershire home when I was a kid. I haven't seen one since we moved to Wales in 1985. They don't seem to be here.
We only get rabbits in the field at the bottom of our garden - we did see some beautiful hares when we were in Norfolk. There is something magical about them.
they are just so beautiful aren't they
Thank you for this beautifully written post that showed me something I will never see otherwise. xo
Beautiful post. love the poem too.
I'm reading your post from a small natural oasis just over an hour north of New York City. We don't have hares, or hedgerows .. we've got corporate executives and perfectly manicured lawns - well except for mine. Your words were like time travel to a lovely place where nature and animals still flourish. Thanks!
I loved this post. I also love hares. We are not hare country around here yet amazingly we have just started to see hares in our river meadows - I'm thrilled!
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