“Those pale and unfortunate public tigers” *

Such grace and exquisite
motion contained within
your shiny striped coat.
You only lose your pumpkin
colouring if you’re not
well-cared for, or if you
become ill. I watch your
muscles bunch and ripple
as you pace your enclosure.
Your amber eyes follow me.
Do you think of me as prey?
*The Great Tablecloth by Pablo Neruda