Intensity

The leopard looked with dark disdain And ever-growing dread. He sensed this day would bring him pain, With trouble dead ahead. A broken twig changed everything! Of fear, he wasn't fond... Who knows what fickle fate may bring? Some creature lurked beyond... He stared with great intensity, Alerted and alarmed... No longer strolling fancy free, No longer feeling calmed... How big and bold the danger was As yet he couldn't guess... And yet his heart went cold because One fight steals happiness. Reverse and run? Too soon to say... New courage made him wait... Perhaps this was his finest day And he would celebrate. If not, then death was way too close... For tensions filled the air. Two predators are vicious foes, Like devils who don't care... His claws were poised like daggers gripped, Outstretched, the fight to win... Death laughed at him, as from its crypt, Yet leopards don't give in! The fight begins! Not one relents! The fur flies to and fro! The leopard wins through violence! His foe turned tail to go... Alone, the leopard stood his ground... With such intensity... And with no other creature round, He savoured victory! The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Intensity'.