Death in Spring

We found a hedgehog dying in the garden –
It made its trembling way across the lawn,
Sat down into the bread we tried to feed it
Apparently unseeing went along
Through its dense darkness of a perfect dawn.

It didn’t notice that the dog came nuzzling
And blundered on, distracted and withdrawn
To die close to a pear tree, one hour later,
A stiff small black-nosed body, drawing flies
Beneath pink blossoms and a radiant dawn.