A wild red fox chasing fires,
Across ivy terraces;
Lighting flowery shadows,
On the garden fences.
Eyed by a sleepless owl,
Enticed and entranced,
By the fox who chased,
And the fire who danced.
With frost setting late,
And night on the land,
The owl yawned and gave
His final demand.
Burn bright and late,
You clever fox.
Run forth and tame,
Your fickle fires.
For the owl should be sleeping,
As the winter comes creeping,
Towards the furry fox,
And his fading fires.
Dusk
