Tiger

The tiger prowls, pacing back

and forth across the cage,

dreaming of freedom before this,

this futile pacing back

and forth, the hunk of meat

glaring red in the bleak concrete desert

Those staring pale faces are amusing

as he paces back

and forth, musing on freedom:

chasing, killing, eating

a mate to win, but no – just pacing back

and forth.

                pacing back

and forth

across the cage,

                      pacing back

and forth, and forth…

Timeless ticking, this pacing back

and back, and forth.

Aden 17.2.81

© Doina Cornell 2024

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