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He stalks in his vivid stripes
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage. He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass Near the water hole Where plump deer pass. He should be snarling around houses At the jungle’s edge, Baring his white fangs, his claws, Terrorising the village! But he’s locked in a concrete cell, His strength behind bars, Stalking the length of his cage, Ignoring visitors. He hears the last voice at night, The patrolling cars, And stares with his brilliant eyes At the brilliant stars.
He walks quietly in his bright stripes The few steps of his cage, On soft, silent paws, In his quiet anger. He should be hiding in the shadows, Moving through tall grass Near the waterhole Where fat deer walk by. He should be growling near houses At the edge of the jungle, Showing his white teeth, his claws, Scaring the village! But he’s trapped in a concrete cell, His strength behind bars, Walking the length of his cage, Ignoring the visitors. He hears the last voice at night, The patrolling cars, And stares with his bright eyes At the bright stars.