Hotchi-Witchi*
Scouring the lawn,
his eyes alight,
my spikey guardian
of the night.
His dainty expert wiffly snout
goes sniffing all around
for any beetles, worms or slugs
who cross his hunting ground.
He doesn't curl into a ball,
he just stays still and calm;
I really think he knows me now
and sees I mean no harm.
The owls hoot loud – he doesn't care
he fears no raptor in the air.
Nothing will spoil his feeding times
with that resplendent coat of spines.
his eyes alight,
my spikey guardian
of the night.
His dainty expert wiffly snout
goes sniffing all around
for any beetles, worms or slugs
who cross his hunting ground.
He doesn't curl into a ball,
he just stays still and calm;
I really think he knows me now
and sees I mean no harm.
The owls hoot loud – he doesn't care
he fears no raptor in the air.
Nothing will spoil his feeding times
with that resplendent coat of spines.
*the Romany word for hedgehog
This poem is copyright (©) Jane Newberry 2025
About the Writer
Jane Newberry
Jane Newberry is an all-sorts poet and songwriter living in Cornwall. Her book of play-rhymes Big Green Crocodile was shortlisted for the prestigious CLIPPA award in 2021. The new baby is Big Red Dragon, published by Otter-Barry Books in August 2024. Jane is widely published online and in magazines and anthologies.
