The leopard saw the tree ahead <br />And chose to check it out <br />And that is where his footsteps led, <br />No more to scout about... <br />He climbed the tree serenely calm, <br />To scan the land around <br />And so as not to raise alarm, <br />He barely made a sound... <br /> <br />How gingerly he walked on high, <br />As if above it all, <br />Yet not possessing wings to fly, <br />Was careful not to fall... <br />A gentle breeze brought no fresh scents <br />To help him find his prey <br />And since he saw no other friends, <br />He paused his paws to stay... <br /> <br />His private view brought sweet relief <br />With shade to cool him down, <br />Quite cosy, comfy, couched beneath, <br />He laid on bark so brown... <br />Now he could keep his soft embrace, <br />Surveying all in style... <br />This was his spot, his special place, <br />His palace for a while... <br /> <br /> <br />Denis Martindale, copyright, November 2011. <br /> <br />The poem is based on the magnificent painting <br />by Stephen Gayford called 'Private View'. <br /> <br />More Stephen Gayford poems here: <br />denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com<br /><br />Denis Martindale<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/private-view/
