The Tiger- Past Predator: Present Prey! Poem by Dr John Celes

Tiger, Tiger, poached for hide!

By Man’s bullets many died;

Bones and claws of thine are dried;

Poachers have thee crucified.



Past predator, now a prey!

Recklessly killed every day;

Thy extinction is so nigh;

Mortality of thine’s high.



Lord of Jungle, O Tiger!

Hast thou become much tamer?

Thy reserves have dwindled fast;

Wilt thou soon be thing of past?



Oh, what sinews, what muscles!

Victor of fiercest tussles;

Thou with agility stalk;

Despite weight, thou canst cat-walk!



No beast dare challenge thy might;

Thine eyes glimmer green at night;

Thou live in forests so dense;

Mighty beast- ’tis no pretence.



Frightens thy roar every beast;

Stalk thou grassland’s beasts for feast;

What strength fills thy graceful frame!

Jungle Lord, wherefrom thou came?