He stalks in his vivid stripes
The
few steps of his cage,
On
pads of velvet quiet,
In
his quiet rage
He
should be iuricing in shadow,
Sliding
through long grass
Near
the water hole
Where
plump deer pass.
He
should be snariing around houses
At
the jungle's edge.
Baring
his white fangs, his claws.
Terrorizing
the village!
But
he's locked in a concrete cell.
His
strength behind bars,
Stalking
the length of his cage,
Ignoring
visitors.
He
hears the last voice at night.
The
patrolling cars.
And
stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant
stars.
---------------Leslie Norris
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