TIGER

Why, when it's happening thousands
of miles away, do I feel the Tiger
going extinct inside of me?
Why right here, the exact center
of my chest, like a diamond
or a candle
dimming out?

I say Tiger
and hold the fire in my eyes
while at the same time
trying to imagine
no-Tiger, but I can't do it.

Something inside me
won't allow it,
begins to thrash
and I wonder what we'll do
when gone is truly gone
and we are, at last, alone.

ROB LEWIS