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