Ghjattu-Volpe changes places December 2021

by Beth McDonough

In those old forevers, Corsican toddlers
learned of a prowling terror, the 'Cat-fox'.
Elusive, but known in the Alta Rocca,
that too-rapid passing in macchja,
a flex-leg ascent of Forchi di Bavedda.

Every shepherd had witnessed this beast,
wont to attack and yet suckle at teats
of unwary goats, odd mouflon and sheep.
Experts were certain; a folklorish figment,
some chestnut cooked up by herders. So much Cap Corse.

Until the century's turn. Naturalists trapped
not foxes, but striped ginger wildcats,
fiery brushes for tails. Benedetti's research
is submitted this month. To the OFB. Therefore
their feline is real. Recognised. Named in Latin.

Meanwhile, its cousin, once in the Cairngorms,
so ferociously carnivore, fur, muscle, spit,
is probably nowhere at all in pure form.
Retreating, it sleeks into myths, superstition,
clawholds half-noticed lairs from soft drawings and tales.

Pierre Benedetti's findings are being presented
to the OFB (French biodiversity agency), and it seems certain
that the Corsican wildcat will be classified officially.