tiger eyes

what does he see
when he looks at me?

what tigerish thoughts
as we gaze at each other through
the bars of the cage?

would he like to maul me,
take his revenge on my skin and bones
for the wrong done him by my kind?

play with me the way my cat plays with
a mouse she has caught and crippled,
a passing afternoon entertainment
pleasant to the feline mind?

perhaps if I opened the door
he would just escape
out of my presence
as quickly
as possible.

that,
my worst
nightmare.