Tiger Tale

No one remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself.
- Thomas Mann (Writer)

I caught a glimpse of mottled bruisey bags
beneath the hooded furrows of my eyes:
all lines and grey, all aches and pains, displayed.
I'd thought myself a tiger, unafraid.
I saw instead a captive wrapped in lies.
I was not strong; this weary heart, drear, sags.

Then all at once it happened that I knew--
that I who shouted 'All for love!' had lost
the little piece of me that made me roar,
the little piece of me that wanted more.
So, out the tiger's cage the key was tossed,
and all those stripes flared orange, burnt anew.

In finding myself lost I paused to see,
there'll always be a tiger within me.

(14 lines)