By poetwench60@aol.com
Date: 2 November 1999

Panther By Moonlight

Deep purple and rose dusk
give way to black
and the creatures have bedded down
before the great silver lady
begins her casual stroll
across the glimmering stars.

There is a stirring in the bush---
a sigh that is not breeze,
and I hear something over the trees
that sounds like the voice of need
coming from a distant valley.

I know the panther's call,
and the sage voices
counsel for caution---
say that this beast hungers---
will consume me---
but it is not food he seeks.

Ever the wise hunter,
would he alert his prey
before ever he had taken a taste?
No---this one hungers for something else,
something to do with an untamed heart,
or an unchained soul.

I am not meant to master the panther---
But face him, I must.
I will meet his eyes,
master my own fear,
silence the voices
that clamor for me to run
and join the panther in the moonlight
where all turns to silver
and my heart is unbound.