Listen now, can you not hear
The tawny beast’s fearsome roar?
He leaps into the march of time
Crashing through the eon’s door
His muscles rippling with strength
Beneath his glossy golden coat
His low and menacing growl
Rumbling deep inside his throat
He strides with pride and purpose
Through the twelve months of the year
A force out of the wild
Come to conquer time’s frontier
He knows his way in darkness
From the dawn of endless ages
For he has prowled before
Pacing, panting through time’s pages
Once again he claims his place
Among the annual creatures
Springing to this year’s calling
Ferocity in his features
His eyes are green and piercing
Penetrating every day
Demanding close attention
As the months fly fast away
What will the tiger find here
Along this annum’s travel?
He bares his white and sharpened fangs
Time’s mysteries to unravel
© January 2010
Katharine L. Sparrow
