*******************************************************************************************************
He is strong and he is fast
when he strikes, no prey to last.
He hunts in darkness quite with ease
not on the ground but also in trees
**
When he’s hungry, in greatest shape
he kills the monkey and the ape.
On the ground he hunts boar and deer
birds and reptiles live in fear.
**
He’s fast as lighting and still is proud
a soft footed hunter who’s never loud.
He lives alone most of his life
two of them end up in strife.
**
He’s beautiful but very rare
he’s shy and carries unique hair.
His fur was coveted long ago
he’s almost gone from what we know.
**
He can get three feet without the tail
to watch and hunt him ends in fail.
His teeth and claws do make him climb
and hide in trees for quite some time.
**
Strong he is, blends in and linked
soon enough he’ll be extinct.
He has been hunted, hauled and stalled…
Clouded leopard is he called.
*****
(Copyright, Aurora Jean Alexander, June 2017)
Picture courtesy of: Charles Barilleaux from Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America – Wet Behind the Ears, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27166299
Beautiful creature.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, he is. Very rare, and simply gorgeous.
LikeLike
A lovely poem, Aurora, although it is about something very sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. It is sad that we humans limit the life space of these amazing cats so drastically that he’s nearly extinct.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recently saw a documentary about cats on PBS, the DNA of the beautiful clouded leopard is in every feline on Earth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is amazing. I didn’t know that. Thanks for the information Robert!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, it’s also available on Youtube, it’s called The Story of Cats.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Had company from Boston Mass last week, and they visited the Houston Zoo, second largest (to San Diego Zoo) in the nation . The ten year old girl came home totally impressed with the Clouded Leopard and spent the evening drawing pictures of her newest fascination. She even had dad buy her a bracelet with the name Clouded Leopard on it, donating the cost to keeping the lovely animal from becoming extinct.
Liked your riddle. Funny the connection.
LikeLike
You know, this is quite an interesting coincidence. 🙂 Thanks for telling me this. And I’m happy to hear you liked the riddle poem too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your poems, riddle or otherwise, are always creative and well done!
LikeLike
Beautiful creature, knew it had to be some kind of cat. BTW follow my new sit at http://www.mallie1025@wordpress.com. . My other site is temporairiy broken.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your comment, Micki. Thanks for the link – it just doesn’t work. This blog doesn’t show up anywhere. 😦
LikeLike
That figures. Oh well
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I could follow you.
LikeLike
Oooo… pretty kitty. Can I have on for a pet please?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope!! These buddies are wild animals. I’m sure you would think twice if one of them had shredded your home within about 12 minutes. LOL
LikeLike