Cougar!

His upward curled moustache looked cute Upon the cougar's face, Just like a villain or a brute, No shame at his disgrace... Despite such features well-defined, Distinguished, come what may, Who knew what thoughts were on his mind, Regardless, night or day? His reputation well-deserved, Or just a bad profile? Now hidden close, I still observed, Impressed by strength and style... But as I looked intently on, His tear-stained eyes looked, too, Aware of me until I'd gone, Completely out of view... He had no cash, no food, no home, No chance to spend or save, He only had the chance to roam And sometimes misbehave... He wasn't trained, he wasn't schooled, Thus hunting made him so And that was why my judgements cooled Before I chose to go... Denis Martindale, copyright, March 2015. Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting, by artist Stephen Gayford nb Google-search gayfordgallery and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.