Cheetah, staring at the horizon, spies
movement in the not too far-off distance.
She captures, fixates the object of her
curiosity on her retinas;
missing nothing, the cheetah's amber eyes.

The cheetah is hungry.  It has been two
days since she has eaten.  She concentrates,
knowing that she must dine today if she
is to survive.  If she doesn't, this will
be death for this cheetah with amber eyes.

Slowly, she draws closer, closer, ever
closer;  and her muscles tremble under
her spotted hide, in anticipation
of the chase.  A herd of Thompson's gazelle
are focused in the gaze of amber eyes.

Seeking out the merest hint of moisture,
craving relief from a dry, parched throat, one
foolishly wanders away from the herd;
unaware that its fatal mistake may
feed the cheetah staring with amber eyes.

The chase is on; dodging this way and that,
the gazelle tries to outmaneuver the
predator, but it is too late:  with a
trip, the gazelle falls...and it will become
a meal for the cheetah with amber eyes.

The cheetah is exhausted, but happy;
she will live another day.  She rests, then
rapidly consumes her prey; she washes
the bloodstains from her spotted fur, then naps,
this contented cheetah with amber eyes.

(C) Karla Dorman, 2002/revised, 2003.