Does the sight of me cause you such fear and alarm?
I do not eat children, nor your dog or your cat
But without me you lodger could be house mouse or rat
Yes, I'll eat from your bins
Just as you dine off your plates
I'll take what's around as occasion dictates
And I'll clear away sweet stuff that's left out for me
For I have a sweet tooth - just try me and see
In the dark, when I'm calling and it's you that I wake
Think of me in the day and the noises you make
And the people and cars, the noise and the light
Do you wonder I move under cover of night?
It's much safer for me if I'm not seen at all
As I drink from your pond or skirt round a wall
To wander the shadows, well out of your way
And to find somewhere peaceful to sleep out the day
So I'm quiet and wary when you're out at night
Can you blame me for keeping out of sight?
After all, I'm callled 'cunning' and 'evil' and 'sly'
By humans no less who condemn me to die
I can't understand, I'll avoid you all gladly
Why you'd see my kind perish
Why desire it so badly?
I'm not guilty of sins for which I must atone
I'm just being a fox, so please leave me alone
.............................
Derek Wheeler