Neither Predator Nor Prey

Orange and black stripes--
barely visible--
camoflauged by stalky blades of grass.

A glint of green
and a small yellow fire
lit eternally.

The gazelle feeds gracefully,
unaware of her uninvited guest.
The rest of the herd,
five miles away at best.

The fire begins to flicker--
and the green begins to jolt--
ornage and black merge into a blur;
as he dashes toward her.

As her mouth clutches anpther blade of grass,
she catches a glipmse of a golden lantern.
Almost paralyzed,
she knows not what to do--
finally bounding away.

The tiger is relentless,
he will get what he desires;
veering off course
he lays behind a tree.

The lantern now out,
she feels safe--
and grazes merrily.

The tiger peers around the tree;
watching the gazelle--
waiting.

She notices, but does not stir
and waits for the tiger to make his move.

He slinks toward the gazelle,
but the gazelle walks toward him.

They stand within one yard of one another,
and the gazelle walks toward him still.
The tiger knows he is no longer hidden
and is confused as to why his prey is advancing.

The tiger gnaws at the gazelle's hind leg,
but--
she lodges her horn in the toger's torso.
Bound together,
each with a fatal wound
they die--

Neither predator
Nor prey.