Elmet the last independent Celtic kingdom in England badlands  a sanctuary  for refugees from the law or so said Ted Hughes 

                   he read it as he walked

a skittering woke his attention

in the middle of the street on its weathered facethe sand erodingtpebbles singular scattered obvious  separatecitadels  running over it was a dandywhirl of several leaves turning one way and then the other one chasing the others the others chasing one chasing two three broke into the lead across the street towards him and leapt the high curb onto the sidewalk 

          those who chased them pulled up short backed off  then disbanded fleeing possibly  him 

                                                                                                           and the three on the sidewalk before him he startled two fled back onto the street the third hurled itself at the chainlink fence and tried to climb it 

there was no wind

the leafsomewhat waxen slipped on the links and fell down onto the dirt

mesmerised he stepped towards it

it stood facing the fence and must have decided it was supple enough to yet fold rather it rolled itself up and jumped through a link unfurling safely on the other side

he knelt down leaned forward clutched the fence his handfingers looking clawish

the leaf backpedaled though still intently facing him

it looked right

he looked left

its two playmates returned had worked their way up the street ahead of him  they leapt over the curb onto the sidewalk and crossing the dirt they began to collapse like paper rolled for cigarettes

they jumped through separate holes between the links

he looked back at the leaf

it was facing him

then it flopped wiggled and fled over the grass as its playmates angled towards it

he watched them run to a handball wall and disappear around behind it 

      Hmmm 

                     how fortunate was he

 

1234,  Reggae Friday,  5  2. 21