Arms and legs crossed.
Red, the mark of a fledgling,
overpowered by the grey fur:
terrifyingly vital and feral.
Life seeps over lips and nose and teeth -
that first sensed the spicy scent of cat.
Convulsing
eyes wide, wider than ever,
heart faster, faster, faster to slow
to stop.
On my viewing the predator had waited
To show this prey, and lunged,
to finish; to give me the final, devastating display.
My adolescent praise reversed into desperation;
My Child arrested the assault;
arrested myself to aid the dying creature
young, new, free;
Me.
