JUNGLE DREAMS

In a late night mind meandering mood

I sit at my computer, my entertainment

An African choir, all young men brightly clad

In tunics red, yellow, green, blue, purple

As if celebrating the many, many colors

Of the people who call their native land home.

My big black cat, my nighttime companion

Listens too, sprawled lazily atop the printer

An ear cocked to the throbbing beat

Of tribal drums, beating out a lively base

For strong voices, in many parts, singing

The collective heartbeat holding them together.

I glance at my feline friend, long and lithe,

Taking in the music, utterly relaxed,

Suddenly an eye opens, and in that instant

I fancy I see him recall that he shares

The hot feral blood of the panther

Lying, waiting at the edge of the jungle.

Chip Begreron

January 6, 2011

1:41 AM