The striped beast
In the forest of east
Has just made a ****
In the wintry chill
A hungry bite
In the eerie quiet...

She hears the noise
Of jeeps and boys
Whisper amidst trees
Murmur of leaves
She wants to eat
But has to retreat
To the nearby hideout
Till the gypsy goes out...

Peace dawns at last
She devours fast
She has to feed
Her cubs are in need
For her quick return
Are unable to run
Shut eyed newborns
Feeble small moans...

She looks up to find
Shadows lurking behind
Endless clicking sounds
She quickly rebounds
To the bushes dense
Her anger is intense
Crowd waits quietly
She hides patiently
Stubbornness wins
The crowd now thins
Not a jeep in sight
She just won a fight...

She drags the meal
To keep it conceal
From preying eyes
In the bushes high
She is back to rest
Cubs on her breast
She licks her little litter
Warmth in cold bitter
Her nose sniffs the air
The eyes watchfully dare
The perils of the forest
As she with her cubs rest
Amidst the sun in the fog
A mother is on her duty log....