OLD TOM AND THE TIGER

(a nursery sonnet)
 
The tiger knew no cage but “habitat”
She was the queen of her half-block domain
She’d rest in summer shade like any cat
But then would come the cold mid-winter rain
 
Old Tom, would lounge as well and watch her stalk
As she would pace and watch the humans stare
Old Tom would stride and match her walk for walk
And she would smile to watch his strutting there
 
But with the rain his queen would barely stir
These frigid rains that made her feel so sick,
So lost, then came a rustle in her fur
It was Old Tom with nip and tug and lick
 
Old Tom would stay and play with her awhile
He always seemed to prod his tiger’s smile