The tiger's own reflection rose <br />From gentle water crossed, <br />The tiger saw it way up close, <br />Yet something had been lost... <br />He was as if a lonesome soul, <br />His roar now soft not loud, <br />As if somehow he lacked control, <br />As if no longer proud... <br /> <br />For years had come and years had gone <br />And tigresses are rare, <br />Till he found her, just soldier on, <br />Still thinking life unfair... <br />Yet come that day, his life would change, <br />Perhaps a father soon, <br />Though now, of course, such thoughts felt strange, <br />This sunny afternoon... <br /> <br />Was that a twinkle in his eyes <br />Each time he thought of her? <br />Or just reflection of his sighs <br />And what may yet occur? <br />The greatest test is patience, friend, <br />The lonesome waiting game, <br />Till finally it has to end, <br />Then life's no more the same... <br /> <br /> <br />Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2014. <br /> <br /> <br />The poem is based on the magnificent wildlife <br />painting by Stephen Gayford nb Google search: <br /> <br />gayfordgallery <br /> <br />Find more wildlife poems using Google search <br />for the search phrase Stephen Gayford poetry.<br /><br />Denis Martindale<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tiger-tiger-5/
