The Panther

I had a dream, woke up shaking
The moon breaking through the tress
And in the stillness of the evening
I heard a rustling in the leaves
And I saw a panther in the yard
Moving slow across the ledge
With silver eyes and a cool regard
And hunger with a cutting edge
Open the door, let it in
This mystery you found
It’s all yours now
Come lay the panther down
So I called the eagle and the raven said
My prayer to the sky with the moon as my witness
I looked the panther in the eye and beheld
His violent beauty
That cut so deep and hard
Through my civilized indifference
And reckless disregard
So I open the door and let it in
This mystery I found is all mine now
Time to lay the panther down