Siberian Shadows Poem by Denis Martindale

The tiger cubs weren't all that keen
When Winter took its toll,
Recalling Summer months they'd seen
When going for a stroll...
But now white snow had frozen cold,
Dark shadows all around,
To hide life's wonders to behold,
No wonder that they frowned...

When water was their current need,
They still chose to delay,
Cold throats and bellies won't succeed
As if to make their day...
But parents chose to bear such pain,
Their offspring to approve,
Believing life held much to gain,
With future warmth to soothe...

To follow suit and drink as well
Or sit still on the snow?
Despite the fact that time would tell,
The cubs watched water flow...
When fate compelled them to the brink,
The coldest gift to give,
Then one-by-one, each chose to drink,
Another day to live...