The wolf watched everything in sight br While he heard every sound, br For soon he'd run with all his might br Across the unturned ground... br No farmer ploughed across this land, br The wolf was on his own, br No creature there to understand br His hunger that had grown... br br So there he stayed before his crime, br As if quite dignified, br So statuesque, so cute, sublime, br Yet starving deep inside... br Of course, he'd done this all before... br That's how he still survived, br But, oh, my goodness, what a chore, br Till his next meal arrived... br br He licked his lips, let out a sigh, br Then breathed in long and slow... br For all day long beneath God's sky, br He stayed, nowhere to go... br But that wise wolf survived again, br Another moon to see... br That's why we'll hear him howl again, br All night, till half-past-three... br br br Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2011. br br The poem is based on the magnificent painting br by Stephen Gayford called 'Dignified'.