Purposeful

The tiger firmly marched his way Across the swirling stream, His tail was swishing near the spray As he looked in a dream... As if he had one thought in mind, As hunger stirred his soul, For any prey that he could find As he searched on patrol... If any creatures saw him there, No doubt that they stood still, In hopes that he stayed unaware And blood he wouldn't spill... Ignore his fur like honeycomb As sweet as sweet could be, He marched as if he had no home, Just one priority... How purposeful his life has turned As hunger growls within... No measely meal could now be spurned, If he, this war must win... For him, the struggle to survive Is something that annoys, But all must eat to stay alive, The tiger has no choice... Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2012. The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Purposeful'. More Stephen Gayford poems here: denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com