Dream

There was this panther
Strong
A she-cat
All grown
As black as the night brilliant
Eyes
Glistening
Coat of cooling lava
She was by my side
On a leash I held her
Close
A man came by not real tall
A runner
Older than I
And he said
Be careful
Is this not a little dangerous
An animal like this
On a leash
And I said
We are fine
Rubbing her massive head
Digging my hands
Into the fur
On her back between her shoulders
Keenly aware that she could take off
Anyone’s head
In a flash
Then
She slipped out of the collar
And I thought
She will run off
This is my fault
I am responsible
For her
Walking up to her
Expecting her to leap
Away
From me
I fastened the collar back around her neck
She did not runAgain she freed herself
From the leather band
That held her
Again
I was afraid
Of what she would do
Now
That I let her get away
A second
Time
She did not run
And as I fastened the collar
Around her neck
Once more
I thought
I really need to tighten
My grip
But I never did