Tiger Fury Poem by Denis Martindale

The image of the pussycat,
So playful, without care...
Was gone in seconds, just like that,
When fury made him stare...
And all at once, the mood had changed
And tension killed the calm...
The trembling tiger looked deranged,
Intent on deadly harm.
His body language said it all -
You've stepped across the line!
How dare you think that you're so tall
That you can take what's mine!
Your very life hangs by a thread!
For you, there's no escape!
I'll scratch you till your blood has bled,
Then crush you like a grape!
You'll never see the stars again,
Nor silver moon at night...
For I'll teach you a lesson, then
You'll feel one final bite!
My fury takes my fear away...
I'll win with no remorse!
If I were you, I wouldn't stay,
But you must stay, of course!
For fury echoes in your heart
Enough to match my own -
You've too much pride, you won't depart,
Yet soon I'll stand alone...
Yes, one must live and one must die...
The countdown tracks the time!
Two furies fight and fur must fly...
Till one fury lasts sublime...


The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Tiger Fury'.