To see the ears perk up
alive with instinct.
The eyes dilate
and glaze red with night vision.
The hindquarters raise and rattle
the tail bobs with anticipation
as the birds chirp,
and hop from limb to limb.
Soon it fades
and he settles again to clean himself.
He's old
and caught enough mice to satisfy his masters.
The birds are safe
for another day.