ANCIENT INSTINCT

1983

She crouches low

and explodes forward

like her Savannah foremothers,

lengthening her stride,

homing on her target

reaching out with razor claws,

ripping on the pass.

Recovering she is on her mark,

heart and teeth one in their desire for blood.

She bites deeply for the kill

shaking her victim violently.

Becomes still for a while

then regally lifts her head above her prey,

the ancient drama once again complete.

Spying me

she forgets the ravaged paper ball,

flits her tail and crouches for another attack.