Tonight we are gathering at dVerse pub for poets and having fun writing poems from sayings we’ve heard … this is based on that proverb: ‘A leopard can’t change its spots’
Sunlight slices through leaves.
Primaeval amber eyes trapped
unblinking in a spotlight.
Instinct welded into their depths.
The hunter pads softly on,
soundlessly brushing undergrowth.
Head, legs and flanks tiger-striped
as it lopes through light and shade.
Flickering colours, creating
a bow wave of fear for sharp eyes.
Panting reveals its red maw
like some raw slash from
claws on a victim’s rump.
Light and shade,
stripes and shadow.
Emerging into scrubland,
camouflage stripped away,
it stops.
Ears flat,
black spots
bared in the dust.
welshstream 
very cool play on that proverb..love how the light and shade play made for a camouflage just at the right moment…
This was a wonderful poem Paul.. love how the spots play with the shadows… and I think the leopard is happy for its spots,
Oh, I love your predator here.
the mouth as a red slash…its had its meal for the evening…the thing on being the hunter is you always have to be aware as you may be next…
Such a lively and accurate description of the stalking creature.
Deft painting of the creature ~ Like the Light and shade, stripes and shadow, of our canvas ~
i meant “your” canvas ~
This is beautiful. A lovely read.
Such a beautiful read, especially light and shade, stripes and shadow.