Leopard
Silent, motionless
it seems no more than random patterns,
shadows cast on bark by leaves.
A twitch reveals two blobs as ears;
beneath them, eyes are watching.
A blade of fear transfixes me
and yet, there is no roar, no leap
no apocalypse of teeth and claws.
The leopard yawns, not tempted
by this odd, two-legged prey.
I regain control of limbs and back away.
Secure, I can appreciate
the beauty of that latent power,
a work of art draped lazily over a branch.
But I am not fooled: if the cat is harmless
it has already killed today.
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