Humidity increases in temperature
Crackled skeletons scatter the dusty ground
And nothing but tumbleweed blows across these barren marshes
This is a waste of time, I tell myself, what good reason could I have come here for
Only to get my nonsensical fantasies get the best of me, I scoff
Swallowing the pride I have developed, I turn back, intending to return home
Suddenly, an unforeseen miracle convinced me otherwise
No, it can’t be
It’s just a dream in which I will wake up from
It’s merely my insanity causing a mirage
But after blinking and rubbing my eyes several times, I can see it is reality
One single willow tree in the middle of this wasteland
A full-grown one which miraculously survives in the middle of this desert
I have heard of it since my childhood, now I have discovered it’s location
However, as ecstatic as I am about this new treasure, the tree is not what I really seek
Rumor has it that this tree harbors a single female black panther
She has not once left her abode other than to hunt for prey
One cannot be fooled by her meek and fragile exterior, for deep down, she is a true predator
I spot a black blur from the lush green shade of the willow leaves
The black panther immerses from her shelter
Like any other wild beast, she is a cautious one
Her nose sticks out to scout for suspicious scents
Her ears perk out to hear for anything out of the ordinary
The panther makes herself more visible
Her black fur glimmers from the unseen heat rays
Her golden eyes rival the color of the sun itself
And her paws strode with such elegance
Her beauty and grace cannot be denied
The gracious animal turns to face me
Her body freezes as does mine
Our eyes give off a mutual curiosity
She is surprised by my presence no doubt
Not frightened nor angered in the slightest
She will soon lose her interest in me and return to her home
She does not and approaches me with a totally turned expression
The panther stalks toward my direction
Her nightly fur bristles
Her tail slowly moves
Her eyes hungry with power
Her distance is much closer than my liking
The panther’s eyes narrow with greed
She launches herself and extends her paw
And she goes for the kill
