An ambiguous leopard.

An ambiguous leopard
leapt in the air
choosing a moment of glory
before a life of despair
The man brought it down
down in a heap
at his feet 
on the street
He told the reporter
"The leopard was ambiguous
I had to bring it down"
The keeper said 
"It was like a kitten"
The headlines read
"Hero slays wild leopard
in Kensington"

I wrote this poem in July 1981
I remember the date because I had it in my pocket
written on a scrap of paper when I watched the wedding 
of Charles and Diana on tv.