In chiaroscuro

Clouded leopard paces
on pillowy pads,
claws retracted;
then leaps
in soft westerlies
from cloud-stacks: high
over dots of stars
in carbon darkness;
over billowing palms;
over quiet ripples…
to watch
with incandescent eyes
infant whales spouting
in warm volcanic waters
under triple crescent moons:

pure bliss
in chiaroscuro.