February 7, 2019 – Writer's Treasure Chest

You will find me in the mountains

where the air eventually clinks of cold

seeing me means fear and danger

a slinky predator, hungry and bold.

I might not be huge, but still I’m lethal

you can’t outrun me, fleeing isn’t wise

no matter how fast you think you will be

only to try means to simply fantasize.

I’m adjusted well to the mountain’s climate

you won’t see me until it’s much too late

don’t make yourself one of my victims

or you might early see the pearly gate.

My nose is wide to warm the air I breathe

my fur is thick to protect me from the cold

my paws are wide and furry to not sink in

to keep me on a snow blanket and have a better hold.

We are an endangered species,

you will find most of us in Asia,

from North down to the South

from Russia, to Tibet, to India, until Malaysia.

Thanks to human help and support

there are more of us than the past ten years.

Slowly we might be helped by humans

which calms us and lessens our fears.

To help you guess, I might also tell you

that my ears are round, my eyes green or gray

my ears are round, my belly whitish,

I was called beautiful, and it’s true I must say.

I’m muscular, lean, fast and leonine,

a predator of ibex, goat and also lamb.

Due to atopy of vodal cords I cannot roar

Yes, the Snow Leopard, that’s what I am.

*****

Day: February 7, 2019