Heading out the door,
I struggled with a backpack strap.
So,
it was with great surprise
that I lifted my head
to see a young fox
standing still on the opposite sidewalk.

He eyed me curiously,
this young auburn beauty.
He wore his youth well —
lean haunches, big expressive eyes,
a tail not quite as long
as his elders.

I often see foxes
on my early morning walks.
They dart across darkened streets,
caught momentarily
in the pool of a streetlight
as they head home.

But this young fox
paused as if in greeting.

Suddenly,
the gray cloud cover,
gentle rain shower,
and long day ahead
vanished.

It was just me
and the fox
welcoming the new day together.