Old Tom and the Tiger’s Lair

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(Nursery Sonnet)

The tiger's lair is where he makes his way,
When finishing his rounds in sultry night,
For tiger’s sleep away their sultry day.
Though sleeping tigers are a wond'rous sight,

Old Tom prefers his tiger wide awake,
Prefers to see the fire in her eyes,
He seeks her other sights that lively make
His tiger queen's display before sun’s rise.

How stealthily he gains to the attack,
How swiftly comes her answering retort,
How striking, shows in arching of her back,
How soundly comes the cries from their cavort.

Then comes the part that Old Tom loves best,
The licking of their wounds before they rest.