The Colonsay Fox

A fox’s brush is
as rare
as a unicorn’s horn,
or dragons teeth
on the island of Colonsay.

At Scalasaig,
alone, on the road,
Reynard, vulpes vulpes,
imagined presence,
bleeding violence.

The island of Colonsay has, been fox-free and is officially recorded as such in documents dating back to 1892. This week a lone red fox was found dead at Scalasaig with a large gash behind its left ear. It is believed to have bled to death. How the animal reached Colonsay remains a mystery. The nearest place is Islay which is 15 miles away by sea.

(The Scotsman, 12th January 2012).

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