I Saw A Tiger Once Poem by Alexander Shaumyan

I saw a tiger once without claws,
Confined to roam in his silent cage—
Unable to express his inner rage—
Resigned to arbitrary and moronic laws.

Behind steel bars he watched the human race
That gathered like a troop of wild baboons
To watch a ball game at some sports saloon
Or wander aimlessly from place to place.

He saw the wardens run this human zoo
And punish those who would disobey
With psychotropic drugs and news all day
Until like cattle they would bleat and moo.

I saw a tiger once—his gait was free—
He scoffed at all the rules and all the laws,
He fought his wardens with his fangs and claws—
In fearless fight for truth and liberty.

--Alexander Shaumyan
February 14,2022