He was her saviour
He rescued her when she was but a cub
Now he rescues her from her dreams
Whipping wisdom in her back,
Dreams too big, crack too loud
The world is watching
He had to please the crowd.

He blows his whistle
She jumps the hoop
Runs through fire
Every night
Her roars sending a chill
Through everyone’s spine
A well-choreographed performance
For the crowd.

Her teeth so sharp
Her eyes so wild
Nails that could tear through flesh
A Royalty from Bengal,
Sleeps in her cage night after night
like a kitten on her pillow,
So gorgeous so dangerous
And so tamed
Tigress of a circus.

Her father, so proud.



Photographer unknown  
Poetry © Copyright 2017, Opinionated Head