Lioness

Watching and drinking in the whole scene to weigh it up 

Carefully prowling 

Until she knows what to use precious energy on 

Circling in a slow decreasing arc towards the thing in eyeline 

It is not aware of her presence yet 

So used is she to moving deliberately and nonchalantly that nothing 

Even notices 

Unless she wants to be seen 

Or they have crossed her path on the wrong side 

Mainly she does not roar she is unassuming, quiet even  

But a chord of fear is struck when they hear her angry battle cry 

Notice for the first time her teeth. 

So much drank in slowly, like milkshake through a straw 

Chilling her insides little by little a steady stream of ice 

Till her hot anger overflowing but slowly edge her towards her target 

Watch her smile as she slithers in shadow 

Kill her prey ? No not her.

Breath like crystals of ice as she breathes over the fallen prey 

Who smiles unsure of why she looks different to them 

And as her mouth covers theirs she lets it all come forth 

Freezing their heart in their chest  with the cold built up over forever 

Now she is free.
Ailsa

©AilsaCawleyPoetry2016