Cardinal Points

The Fox Hunt

.:. The Fox Hunt -Winslow Homer, 1893 60 We have all seen in the sky the black crow flapping away from some tiny bird, enraged, attacking from above, below, relentless in its grief. And we've said good, good for you. Painting this striking scene of death to come, is that what Homer felt? Sinister black wings open against the slate-gray heavens, from the cold sea come the crows, rising from the horizon to hover over drifted snow a red fox labors through. Sunk to his belly, one dark paw reaches forward as he looks back at their approach, backs of his ears black as their wingsalmost as though he reaches for them, ready to embrace them, their talons and beaks that would pick his eyes, spill his blood. The red berries Homer has painted suspended above the snow on spare thorny stems are the touch that tells us what we may expect. Nothing more? Above them, beyond the shivering white surf hitting the rocky shore, we in time will note another detail, a great white bird made small by distancewhether scavenging gull or crane of paradise, we'll never knowflying our way. As it must, it will arrive too late. Afterwards. After the soul of the fox is tom from the body. Death is certain to happen soon. By these elementsred and white and black so ominous, 61 62 composed, and beautiful together-we see how in his heart Homer struggled. What against the many can one do, save show your colors as you go? ...