Leopard!

The leopard listened to each sound, Aware that prey was near And it was close, somewhere around, That much was oh so clear... And that was why the leopard stood, So statuesque in wait And for the prey, that wasn't good And even now, too late... The leopard breathed the airborne scent, It lingered now and then, The creature there by accident And yet, no more again... The leopard was a wily one, No amateur at all And unashamed at what he'd done, Observing hunger's call... The frenzy came, the prey was caught, Life draining, no release, Until it thought its final thought, Until it found some peace... But that's the way that some survive, While others bid farewell, One dies, the other stays alive, Each has its tale to tell... Denis Martindale, copyright January 2016. Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting, by artist Stephen Gayford. Google-search gayfordgallery and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.