Leopard
A shout and then a frantic scramble
Engines revving, jeeps reversing
A finger points toward the tree
There, there! - up on the shaded branch
Binoculars focusing, cameras snapping
Jostling for position
To get the clearest sighting
There, there! – reclining, relaxed and lazy
Dozing through the day
Lithe and muscular
His deceptive power concealed
Hidden in his restful pose
A paw casually hanging down
Towards the ground
Awesome in his beauty
Calm and camouflaged
Sandy ground, black-spotted
Among the shadowed, shimmering leaves
Noon-time elusiveness
This shy, retiring cat yawns wide
Revealing razor teeth
Blinking yellow, slitted eyes
Which gaze, bored, at his admirers
Conserving energy till drowsy dusk
And night-time hunting
A fearsome predator in the dark
Stalking killer, silent assassin
Striking without warning
And as the low-sinking sun
Burns itself into the horizon
Throwing 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
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