SAVING MISS BUNN.

[dadio]

When Rachel saw Mr Marchtwit kill and
Skin the rabbit by the backdoor ready
For dinner that evening, she ran to
The hutch of Miss Bunn, took her out, and hid

With her in the old garden maze out of
Sight of the gamekeeper and other’s gaze.
She held her on her lap, stroked her ears and
Soft back, and kissed her head. What if Mr

Marchtwit gets you Miss Bunn, kills you, skins you,
And puts you in for tomorrow’s meal? How
Would that feel? She hugged the rabbit tight to
Her chest, felt the tiny heart beat, the long

Floppy ears, sensed the anxiety, felt
The fears. Where about can we hide now, Miss
Bunn? The rabbit nibbled on the sleeve of
Her dress, flicked an ear, listened for sounds, far

Away, nearby in the grounds. Rachel thought
Hard, imagined Mr Marchtwit holding
Miss Bunn by her back legs, dangling her
Back and forth, her dead head flopping to and

Fro as he moved. The rabbit sat still, both
Ears raised, eyes alert. Rachel had a bright
Idea; she jumped up and ran with Miss Bunn
Out of the maze, along by the garden

Hedge, into the side door, up the backstairs,
Avoiding Molly the maid with a jug
Of milk, along the landing and into
Her room and closed the door and stood with her

Small back to the door, out of breath. Miss Bunn
Hung over the small arm, eyes enlarged, feet
Limp, ears flopping, tongue out, excrement
Dropping. Rachel stood and stared and listened,

Miss Bunn hanging, breathing fast, far off sounds,
Footsteps trudging, voices calling, big doors
Banging, safe at last, Rachel said, kissing
Rabbit, holding tight, breathing out, not dead.