By Dave Goulder
Ten of them, squat
at the road edge, wide-eyed
to the approaching car,
each behind the other, reflecting
headlights.
Rural cats-eyes marking
the long single track,
Loubcroy to Elphin, carving
high moorland
recently ploughed, planted.
Dwarf pines, inches high,
good hunting for a while,
half an owl life maybe.
Little cover yet
for small mammals,
till infant trees
unite in a canopy, then
ten patient predators will seek. . .