TIGER SPIRIT He roams the Earth, watching, searching He searches for prey His coat glimmers and shines in the moonlght His tail, long and confident, hangs behind him His eyes, determined and focused, watch every Movement around him; they miss nothing His legs carry their master wherever he needs To go. There is no hurry, they move in their Stealthy manner. Trained not to make a sound His paws pad the ground, claws extracting and Detracting for balance and direction His nose is alert and wet; his Nostrils are constantly Heaving in and out sniffing for scents The ground appears not to notice this animal As he glides over it His jaw is firm, his teeth with razor sharp fangs Are made to devour the smallest rabbit to the Largest antelope. Those teeth can crush a leg Or chew a neck. A meal is a meal, no matter What size it is Majestic and confident, dignified, yet Dangerous. Silent in its wanderings, yet Violent in its methods Beauty and danger, grace and violence Stealth and speed, all possessed and Commanded by one A heart of steel and pride A hunger that drives Qualities of the tiger spirit And yet, he, too, is hunted The coat that glimmers and shines Is wanted to make a coat. For someone else. A death beneath the dignity of the one Who has to suffer it. Beauty cut down For selfish gain. But nothing can cut down the spirit Of the tiger.