The Meal
In the shallow
light of the moon,
the shadow dives
into the Hydrangeas
seeking a camouflage
of dark green
the howl of the
wolf pierces the
silence of the sleepy night
like the cry of a
hungry infant
the chameleon
turns a fuchsia
to hide from an intruder
foraging the bushes
meanwhile a juicy
insect is within
its strike
it is in a dilemma
should it let go
of its meal on a platter
or should it risk
becoming a meal
to the intruding
predator
even animals need
to make sensible
decisions
the juicy insect
is tantalizingly close
unaware a nocturnal
predator is its
saviour for the present
ignorance is bliss and
the insect is enjoying it
for the moment
but the chameleon is
aware of the lurking
danger in the shape
of the stalking predator
at the moment
the predator is
confused
there was no movement
where did the damn
chameleon go
it’s a test of patience
for both
but in strange ways
one is poised to kill
the other is also
ready to kill but
must save itself
first from being killed
a dark cloud steers
across and hovers above
cutting out the feeble
moonlight for a moment
in a flash
the chameleon strikes
with its humongous tongue
at the same time
darting with incredible
speed into a crevice
safely hidden from
the predator
the wild cat sensed
a movement but
was not prepared for it
it was too fast and
too brief
the insect was doomed
when it inched close
enough to the reptile
the chameleon with its
hunger satiated can
rest well for the night
alas, the predator
must seek its meal
elsewhere
in the dark gloomy
night
mbfarookh
Copyright © MB Farookh | Year Posted 2024
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