Shere Khan Lives

Shere Kahn Lives

                  It’s a small apartment,

                  Barely enough room for all your things,

                  And through the doldrums of life you gaze upon its plainness,

                  Clean, safe, and dull.

5                 But, that's not what I see.

                  For I am the Great Hunter,

                  On velvet paws I glide about my domain,

                  Stalking what I will,

                  For I am the Master . . . of all.

10                The thickest jungle walls hide nothing,

                  I hear every bird, beast, and man,

                  The blood of my prey is hot and thick in my nostrils

                  So begins the Game of Life . . . and of Death.

                  I make not a sound in the pursuit,

15                Muscles working in graceful perfection,

                  Stop! Crouching low, I edge forward, a patient eternity,

                  Gather my legs beneath for a mighty lunge . . .

                  I pounce! Jaws clamp, claws dig,

                  A rolling biting slashing whirl of power and ferocity,

20                Until I hear the loving voice of my person,

                  And I am again Princess the Siamese being petted,

                  And I purr.

                                          Brian K. Eddy

                                          Sun Jan. 7, 1996