A shout and then a scramble
Engines revving, jeeps reversing
A finger points toward the tree
There, there! - up on the branch
Cameras snapping
Binoculars focused
Jostling for position
To get the clearest sighting
There, there! – reclining
Relaxed and lazy
Dozing through the day
Conserving energy till drowsy dusk
And night-time hunting
A fearsome predator in the dark
Stalking killer
Silent assassin
Striking without warning
Calm and camouflaged
Spotted, sandy, black
Among the shimmering leaves
This shy, retiring cat
Elusive at noon-time
Yawning, revealing razor teeth
Blinking yellow, slit-like eyes
Which gaze, bored, at his admirers
Lithe and muscular
His deceptive power concealed
Hidden in his restful pose
A paw casually hanging down
Towards the ground
Awesome in his beauty
And as the sun sinks low
Burning into the horizon
Casting long shadows
The nervous herdsmen
Move their lowing cattle
Inside their flimsy compound
Away from night-time danger
And stare after the retreating jeeps
As they roll away, back to camp
Amid rising clouds of dust
Copyright Andy Fawthrop 2012
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