Dürer’s Hare

Madge Hales

Winged forepaws ease from sitting fur,

Spatulate whiskers question there

But merely in friendly enquiry,

His full plum eye is animal easy.

He breathes no quicker than the normal

His whole attitude is natural, formal,

Has dignity. The soft alerting ears

Set fingers stroking. Fears

Twitch there as you watch,

The jaws quicken, you catch

The buck of teeth. The nerved fur

Lifts to anticipate stir

And he who leaps is living hare

Yet remains on the page. Resettles there.