The Ghost of a Ringtail by Gavin Jones

Jude Lane's post on Monday about the death of a hen harrier (named Bowland Betty) elicited many responses including this poem from Gavin Jones.  Gavin lives near Bowland  and I was delighted that he was prepared to share his poem via this blog.

The Ghost of a Ringtail

The moor was bright with wisps of mist,

And floating cotton grass in down.

The pipits pointed skyward wired.

So light the sun, so still the moor.

With pivot, dart and kiting wings,

The ringtail took the northern ridge.

She filled the widest sky with sight.

So light the sun, so still the moor.

Forever had her line owned flight,

And now the last in phantom form,

Eternal drifting beauty’s spell:

Though lost to life she haunts the hills,

The emptiness and quartered grounds,

So light the sun, so still the moor.