Is our leader still our leader?
The wolf must daily enquire
For wolf-lives rest on this –
And should a leader fail the test?
Another must be urgently acquired
A show of strength commences –
The pack will mill and moan
Open jaws engaged for confrontation
Forepaws raised to dominate and mount –
A leader must shrug off and watch his back
But when the first lieutenant barks
‘All is found correct’
This ritual may cease –
The status quo is still the status quo –
A chorus of confident howling follows
Heralding that concord sociable and sweet –
Rubbing sides alongside one’s good fellows
Along the bar at Division Bell
It feels quite safe to play while there is feeding
Corpulently jovial
Careful not to wolf the sacred meal
Yapping their hoary impertinent jokes
So typical of the species
Here in their inner sanctuary
Groomed and silver sleek
Connected as a folk-tale to a forest
HARES
They do not seek enlightenment
White hares in winter snow
Dancing to the moonlight
You cannot make them out
Or say for certain they are ‘here’
Or they ‘appear’ or ‘disappear’
Bernard Saint
Illustration: Claire Palmer