I was a Tiger
in a past life.
My lovely mate and I
had our patch of jungle
in tall golden grass
near an abandoned Temple.

What fear we engendered.
High in their trees
birds shrilled warnings
when we passed uncaring,
and monkeys mocked us
only from safe heights.

Lying, dying
in a city hospital,
perhaps the morphine
has opened Time's curtain
and I can again remember
those savage feline days.