treading the velvety line (for Joe)

wrenching himself free out of the lion's jaws
treading the velvety line of the leopard's paws
Joe is, of all monks, jolly happy to tell
you of all the animals roaming the Book of Kells
cats chasing mice, fish calling to bird 
crossing line lizards to species unheard of
peacock's eyes of eternity along stags and huge hares
to remind us of death even a moth spreads wings there
snakes circling round to rise from their skin
any holy book without prints of life is a sin
so hens hatching eggs there of Celtic old treasure
is what we enjoy most, to Joe's pride and pleasure

the wolf's howl of wisdom, says Joe
is 'body and soul are a whole'