oh wild, wild tiger, noble king
of grasslands wild and
prides coiled to spring
at the sound of your howl
calling them to
answer in like, and then
bow before you.
oh noble wild beast,
so proud and untamed
by the hands of the humans
as you roam the plain.
Father, protector,
hunter in one,
forever unleashed in freedom
beneath the burning sun.
oh tame simple creature,
whose head lay in my hands,
how did you come to this;
taken from your own lands
by poachers who strove
to kill for your mother's pelt -
and left behind her young cubs;
lacking knowledge and stealth.
To hold all your glory,
to look in those eyes,
where wisdom prevails
though you're bound by the ties
of the chains that cage you
to the human's mercy
oh noble wild tiger,
i wish that you could be free.
Author notes
Whilst in Kanchanaburi, near Bangkok, Thailand, I visited the Tiger Temple. In Kanchanaburi, farmers who kill adult tigers can sell their pelts for almost 100% profit on their yearly salaries; therefore the temptation is high although such poaching is highly illegal. They never kill the cubs, but just leave them there to die as they are worthless -
however some years ago, villagers found one such cub, alone and lost, and brought him to the monks in the nearby temple. They raised him, and he imprinted on humans, and became 'tame'. Nowadays, the temple has 25 full grown tigers and numerous cubs. You pay to enter, and the monks' helpers lead you by the hand so you can pet the tigers. By paying a little extra money, you can sit on the ground, and a tiger will place his head in your lap, and sleep. It's an amazing experience, but, looking one such tiger in the eye, I felt a flash of nostalgia.
Please note, these creatures are NOT drugged, nor are they mistreated. Rather, they live in the world of humans, with humans and perhaps it is because they are reared by monks; but they bear no animosity. The temple is a wonderful sanctuary, filled with ponies, and deer, and cows, and bulls, and wild hogs as well as the tigers - and the tigers are not caged by day, but lie in a canyon, some chained, some without any chains.
An amazing experience; and dedication from these monks but at the same time, I truly felt for the tigers.
A contest entry
- Animal Kingdom by Jade-30.
625 points, ended August 17, 12 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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This is a very heartfelt write. I liked how you describe the tiger's head in your lap and looking into his eyes. Thank you for the history on the Tiger Temple. I know there's some controversy as to whether they are drugged or not. I am happy that you witnessed that they are not drugged. I appreciate you sharing your experience here with us. Blessings...
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These big beautiful majestic cats have so much to teach humans. Your poem was extroidinary and showed both the power and the gentleness of such a wild animal. Your authors notes were also so intriguing. I have never heard of the place nor of the monks with the tigers but I am so glad I do. That really made me smile to think that they had taken that young cub under their care and now have a sanctuary for not only them but other animals as well. Did you by any chance get to have a tiget rest in your lap? This is definately going to be bookmarked and I am going to have to go hunting on the net to find out more about that place and the monks there. Thank you for a most enjoyable read and lesson and congratulations on the win which to me should have been pure gold.
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Condor
As always, thanks for reading - and leaving a lovely comment behind which *I* enjoy reading as much as you guys enjoy reading the poems.
The Tiger Temple is truly inspirational, it really is. I did indeed hold a tiger head in my lap; it's one of my favourite pictures from my travels... Such a magical experience to go through, with a tiger - one of the wildest beasts alive. I'm sure they must have a website for the temple, I'll take a look and let you know.
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Sucha lovely but sad poem. You did a wonderful job of how it is to these poor tigers and many animals. A lot of knowledge here to let us know the truth too. Thank you for entering my contest. Beautiful poem.
Jade -
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Jade-30
Thanks for your contest which inspired me to write this poem in the first place
I truly appreciate all who run contests and do so, for me - and also, of course, for the shiny trohpy 
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Very nice tribute to the beasts. Theirs is a sad plight!
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Gotlilt,
thank you for reading and commenting
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Sadly this beautiful creature like many fall to man ether for pleasure or price.What a sadder place will be the planet once we have killed of all of natures creatures one must hope that we ourselves are eliminated before that day
Life now days seems to be a throw away item
Excellent work, fine rhyme
An enjoyable read
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Legend
thank you for your comment. I couldn't agree more - whilst I don't mind zoo's that have the 'saving from extinct' programs to protect such wild animals, and, while I thoroughly enjoyed my visit TO the temple, it is such a shame that we can't live and let live anymore ... the world is going mad, I think. Thanks for commenting
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