Tribute

Uncle R's leopard hung upon the wall of fame,
A dry, sombre greeting for all who came.
Glassy eyes, bared fangs, reproachful stare,
Rich, spotted skin beyond compare.

What did it see, mounted head down,
Uncle R's flourish as he showed the town,
The ease with which he could hunt and kill,
Untroubled by conscience, spurred by thrill.

Or did it look deeper and observe with care,
Uncle R's desperate need to impress and scare,
Did it notice his need to appear more alive,
Magnified manifold by a dead animal's hide?