hodmedod
old Norfolk ; hodmedod is a hedgehog according to the blind Granny .
Suckety on the rot wenfalls
amble sides up across the windy
mudpaths, is stuck oh-don’t-mention
the obvious accoutrements
of dogwar, foxwar
the soffety tics behind ears
the coughcough of shy visitors
the hidey of tinies, keep away
keepaway keep away crotchety
not angry, just terrified
sleep in a ballkin
is conker is not moving, not dreams
not witches to suckle
git movin’ boy! off!
or stab at the seams.
Veronica Aldous 2017 all rights reserved