As a prey

[Our first attempt at Kasen writing (collaborative poetry) as part of Creative Writing course. Collaborators: Sachin and a third guy (whose name I forgot to ask). 1st stanza is the given prompt (aka hokku). The poem flows in alternating 3-line and 2-line stanzas; we took turns to write them. Everything was done in less than 45 minutes. So, yes, it's a rushed up piece of work with hardly any rhyme or meter. But it was so much fun! Each of us picking up where the other collaborator had left and trying our best to move the story forward. I think we did a good job. :D Collaborative poetry can be _very_ random (each poet writing about totally different stuff, and then piecing it together) but we took Ma'am's suggestion to write with a theme in mind. Enjoy and comment!]

****

As a prey

Curving up, then down
Meeting blue sky and green earth
Melding sun and rain

Below it, he crawls ahead
Slow, with care, no sound is made

Blissfully unaware,

In the green shade,
They ate

Walking around, she looks behind to check
Smile returns as she sees her son

From twig to flower,
Amidst enchanting bees,
He hops, tender legs beneath

The tiger watches from afar
A broad grin spreads on his face

"More flesh on her," he thinks,
"But the fawn is an easy catch."
Thoughts crowd his mind

There, she raises her ears
Alarmed, as her son sips at a creek

His muscles stiff
Disciplined, he knows he mustn't move
But wishes he could scratch his back

Yet, no time to relax
The moment to attack is here

Grass behind her moves
She feels it, she knows it
Her heart beats faster

A decision awaits her -
To run or to save

She sees her son -
Drinking, happy, young -
And steels her mind

The sun was going down
And more rain came upon her

****

We thought we hadn't finished it: the mother's decision (whether to sacrifice herself or to run for her own safety), the cat's chase, etc. wasn't described. But then, Chinmay thought it is the perfect ending -- let the reader decide. :)