Leopard

With sleek lean body crouched in the undergrowth

ears pricked and eyes so bright, watching for her prey

blending into her surrounding habitat

its unsuspecting meals`s not far away

watching and waiting for the right moment

her eyes darting back and forth cunningly

eyeing up her next victim, her next meal

then once chosen, it moves in so stunningly

crouched low to the ground, moving silently

following every movement through the darkness

her prey unaware of her presence close by

at the right time, she leaps out of the blackness

with her unique speed, the prey stands no chance

so adapted with her eyes, ears and coat

this leopard attacks with her claws out stretched

suffocating her prey with a bite to the throat

after only a short space of time for the kill

the wilderness in plunged back into silence

with her meal safely dispatched up a tree

this leopard helps to keep nature in balance

I have a great love for the big cats and their way of life,  

long may we still be able to see them.

(c) Lissie Bull 2021