Ejiofor Alisigwe

It's another hot day
The sun was high up in the sky
Watchful Papa Tiger nudged his son and let out
An excited cry for a hot pursuit

Go get them fresh son!
Tiger Son galloped into the herd
All grazing away lazily like they ever had

Nooo! wailed Mama Tiger to her son
Stop right there, you hear, stop!

What in the world are you playing at?
Shouted Papa Tiger to his wife

I should be asking you that, daddy
Chided Mama Tiger standing at akimbo
Squaring up as were the lingo

Have you so soon forgotten
To our world something rotten
We eat flesh mummy, very very fresh
Said Papa Tiger with a little poetic licence

Don't call me stupid, you hear
Mama Tiger made it clear

Then let the boy be darling
It is only his first kiss as you will
Boys will be boys, darling
Let him have his first kiss and kill

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill
Scolded Mama Tiger
Is all I hear from you

Papa Tiger rolled his eyes and grunted
Much I can say about you

We are not damn vegetarians
We eat meat, fresh from the herd
And I will be damned if it had me bothered

Then pick someone your size
Said Mama Tiger with contemptous muse

Like I said, go get them Son
But be careful who you pick on!
Concluded Papa Tiger phylosophically

11/05/1993