He looks me in the eye,
With never-ending pride.
I try to meet his stare,
But he never seems to care.

He sits like a king,
On the tree’s branch.
Looking at his small but brilliant eyes,
I blanch.

The piercing look,
And his calm and steady demeanour,
They are not so ordinary
With the hint of superiority clearly visible.

He does not budge,
No matter how much you nudge.
This leopard is the ruler of his land,
Dare I stand where he judge.

The thin and fragile branch,
Supports him well.
Not a single human could have sat there
But the heavy animal lies there as if he could never be fell.

The posture is a clear indication,
That he can’t be conquered.
No one should ever try to claim his territory,
Because he don’t like to share.

The front paws are folded,
With hind legs suspended free.
The head lies on the edge of the branch,
Of his very own tree.

The spots on his body,
Are a wonderful black.
There is not a piece of beauty,
That he lack.

The ears are short and slim,
Nose small and thin,
But there isn’t any detail that leaves him unnoticed
And he knows every single thing.

It is the first time I have noticed you so closely,
Though you had been here for more than a year.
Don’t try to scare away the visitors,
They won’t feel your fear.

You live with me forever,
Inside my room.
Although you are just a wall sticker,
Seem to me much more.
                                           Anmol Agarwal
                                              (August, 2020)