Remote dweller of heathery places;

Moorlands, cornfields, woodland fringes;

Bounding at speed in a rocking motion;

Escaping preditors in zig-zag diversions.

Nocturnal and shy until breeding season;

Making shallow impressions or 'forms' for shelter;

Lying flat, keeping low, camouflaged in Nature;

Out in the open, cautious, alert to danger.

A Hare leaps, effortless, airborne;

Powerful hind-legs, twist and turn;

Jumping with lightening under her tail;

Off track, breaking the scent of her trail.

A sacred animal to Pagan people;

Revered and respected, never eaten;

Antithesis of a 'sport' called Hare-coursing;

Chasing animals to death for no reason.

Hares have been here for millions of years;

Etched in our history, folklore and tales;

Living alone or in pairs, raising their young;

Each starting life in a 'form' of their own.

Mother Hare, Doe, never far away;

With Leverets, before sunset, to feed each day;

Born fully-furred with eyes wide open;

The magical Hare is a gift of creation.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf