Taste III (Leopard)

by Diane Ackerman

 

Sprawled alone along a branch,

the leopard lurks, awaiting lunch.

Her spots and claws, they have their uses

(and so do all her gastric juices).

 

But up there's the best place she can be, (5)

lithe leopard in a tree,

because she can't run fast, you see.

Well, not for long. She just can't dash

after food that gallops past,

because her heart is far too small. (10)

So the leopard stays arboreal.

 

Now down she pounces from her lair

to catch her prey quite unawares,

and quickly sinks her yellow teeth

into the tenderloin beneath. (15)

Than she politely carries her meal upstairs.