Red fox at dawnPicks its way across dewy groundLeaving footprintsHis fur gleamsLike fireIn the rising sunAs if he groomed itJust for this.Ears pricked highHis tail a banner forAll to seeProud of himselfBut not vainHow could he be vain?A red fox all aloneThen joinedBy another.She turnsA signal passes.Then.Wait.CautiouslyAt firstThen fasterCome littleFox kitsThrowing themselvesOn theWet grassDelighted.Then the sun comesKisses them good morningAnd sets their coats on fireFor all to see.They hold their heads highThen disappear the way they cameIt would all have been a dreamBut for the footprints left on the lawn