Panther
How she stands there among the sandy grass
Feline and fierce, above her throttled victim
Too small to defend her kill
Taking breaths and taking stock
The smell of blood already on the wind
Carrying the message of an easy meal
To carnivores and scavengers
That forever dog her hunting expeditions
How stealthily she moves to tidy up
To shift the body to a safer place
The strength of muscles and teeth
To quickly drag and scramble
To climb a tree, up inside the canopy
And leave the lifeless legs dangling
Beyond the jaws of hyenas
Out of sight of vultures
Allowing her some time to rest
And breathe easy once again
How she lies there in the crook of the branch
Amidst the dappling shadowed leaves
Hidden by her rosetted coat
Her larder full and waiting
A softly panting panther
This lithe and lissom leopard
Her glinting watchful eyes
Savage and solitary
Stealthy, opportunistic
Safe and secure
Until the hunger pangs return
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