Tiger Cub

At first, the tiger cub was small, Almost a bag of bones, When he could hardly stand at all, As weak as one that groans... The tigress was amazed, of course, She had much higher hopes, But patience proves the strongest force So that each young one copes... So she was there, right by his side, To nudge him now and then, As he looked up, eyes opened wide To see her love again... She was his rock, his steadfast friend, Not judging like the rest, The kind whose love is without end, To make sure he felt blessed... And that was how her love remained, No matter, night or day, So that both faith and strength he gained To guide him on his way... So once the years had rolled on by, One day, he chose to roam, When Nature gave no reason why He had to stay at home... Denis Martindale August 2016. A poem based on the magnificent wildlife paintings by Stephen Gayford. Google-search phrases gayford prints and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.