Powerfully Gentle

A flash of black out of my right eye.
The large shadow moves quickly
through a patch in the woods.
Darting with startling speed
into a small clearing only to stop.
Standing there in the sunlight is
a wondrous beast,
with bulging leg and back muscles.
Strength is tense
in every part of her cunning body.
She is beautiful.
Black as coal, her head is held high
with integrity and independence.
Powerful neck muscles turn the
head subtly towards me.
I am at awe by the gentle eyes that
seem to smile as if there is more
knowledge in her than I can ever know.
The quiet depth of beauty leaves
just as abruptly as it came.
And all I can do is listen
to the soft clickety-clack
as she speeds away.