Indian Sanctuary

The tiger rested in the sun Without a single care... Without the need to hunt or run, This sense of peace was rare. The tiger wasted none of this, It just went with the flow... Partaking of its share of bliss And in its afterglow. The afternoon was on its way, No danger and no qualm. No enemies to keep at bay, No reason for alarm. The tiger didn't understand This sudden change of pace, This Shangri-La, this Wonderland, This blessing or this grace. Why question what seemed meant to be? Why fret when all goes well? Be thankful for serenity, Enjoy it for a spell. The tiger's heart was tranquil, too. Its rhythm matched the mood. As if in safety in a zoo Where Man provides the food. You could call this a sanctuary, A dream within a dream... A pleasant place that's fancy free Where nothing is extreme... The tiger thought it Paradise It knew it couldn't keep... And so it simply closed its eyes, Thanked God and went to sleep... The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Indian Sanctuary'.