GAZELLE (for Paulo) by: Ray DeRousse

Motionless near – you,
Firm and statue-graceful,
Level clear and constant
Gazes over Me.

An ancient hunter
Slobbers in envious sleep.

The arrows of his
Quiver shake
In the pause, the beauty
Of you. No more ...

Are you a gazelle than I
A hunter. In this forest
My heart growls
A threat.

You, though,
Draw the blow ...

I wait a beat,
And there you go.