Be beautiful and enjoy and live! Edward Thomas

January

Suddenly a pheasant is hurled out of a neighbouring copse; something crosses the road; and out over a large and shining meadow goes a fox, tall and red, going easily as if he sailed in the wind. He crosses that meadow, then another, and he is half a mile away before a loud halloo sounds in the third field, and a mile away before the first hound crosses the road upon his scent.

 Run hard, hounds, and drown the jackdaws' calling with your concerted voices. It is good to see your long swift train across the meadow and away; on such a day a man would give everything to run like that. Run hard, fox, and may you escape, for it would not be well to die on such on a day, unless you could perchance first set your fair teeth into the throats of the foolish ones who now break through the hedge on great horses and pursue you - I know not why - ignorant of the command that has gone forth from the heart of this high blue heaven, Be beautiful and enjoy and live!

Edward Thomas: from The Heart of England

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - Happy New Year!