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Encounter

From my rock ledge on the cliff face
I see it appear again today
To spot its territory and encroach on mine
The fur is strange
With long waving mane at head and neck
walking easily with surprising upright grace
Alert undisturbed and disturbing nothing
The scent is odd but striking in its musk
alien to me
quickening my consciousness.
alerting my sex
This one is powerful
It has seen me before and is not fearful
The other, the male, was arrogantly incautious
I killed it
I stretch to a sitting position
Black muscled coat shimmering
I lick its oiled richness
Gazing unconcerned
Death is a careless wave held waiting
She calls to my senses
Delaying my wish to protect my range
I watch
She stops
Has seen me rise
Three strides separate us
She does not run remaining motionless
An unguarded stance
Baring teeth, not for fear or force
A greeting of equals
peers
Both giving and demanding respect
I will permit this creature to remain
She my guard as I am hers
Protecting each other's silence space and world

Poetry by josephus