Panther

Panther cried in the night
Screamed and squalled like
An old woman
Killed in her sleep.
Woke me hard and fast,
Tore me from dreams


Took me back to a cabin
In the Appalachian hills
Deep in a holler back home
To a night not so unlike
This fractured night.
A child woke from sleep
Heard a woman screamin'
Death and ruin.

Then was told
"Hush now, go back to bed.
Just an ol' mountain "pant'er"
Callin' in the night
Searchin' for a mate
Lookin' for home.

So, I lay in bed,
Say, "hush now, back to bed.
But my heart pulls me up.
Light in hand I open the door
Shine a beam on the hillside
'Cross the road and up
Till I see red dots glowin'
Eyes caught up in the light.

Pant'er sittin' on the hill
Callin' in the night
Searchin' for a mate
Lookin' for home.

And I am glad
To have seen it.
Glad it called to me
Told me
"Welcome home"