Sounds

/ Sumana Roy
Photo : Sumana Roy

My Thailand tiger resting on a table

let me hug it

while it pretended to enjoy the hug

with open eyes-

its woody tail

lashed me once or twice-

I heard my heart

pounding and thumping-

what if……….

as I touched its hard yet silky skin

it began purring

to drive my fear away-

it wasn’t Blake’s Tyger

so it didn’t make a meal of me-

poor, poor creature-

get back to the wild where your home is-

Posted for Mary’s prompt Sounds at What’s Going On Blog

12 thoughts on “Sounds”

  1. Indeed, actually TOUCHING a tiger would make one hear one’s heart pound and thump very loudly! You were very brave and trusting, as I see the tiger’s eyes wide open. I am not sure that I would be! A wonderful photo.

    Reply

  2. Wow! I remember you telling us you did this in your travels, and the sounds here in detail bring the incident into sharp focus. To touch and pity at the same time–not to pity exactly, but to pray “get back to the wild.” But the purr! He was talking to you too.

    Reply

  4. Not many have heard a tiger purr! How amazing. He felt your peaceful energy. But poor tiger, in such a strange habitat. Dreaming of the wild, no doubt.

    Reply

  5. Beautiful, Sumana, you and your Thailand tiger! How wonderful that you got to touch it! And what a great thought, for it to purr while you touched it.

    Reply

  6. Maybe he will find his way back to the jungles of the night. Meanwhile, he takes up residence in your poem.

    Reply

  8. I would hear my heart pounding and thumping too Sumana! I love that picture and the wonder and amazing story your poem holds!

    Reply

  9. Sumana, I love the descriptions, “woody tail/lashed me,” “hard yet silky skin,””hear/pounding, thumping” and “open eyes” — highlighting its awareness of you and yours of the tiger. I would have been shivering in my boots frankly! The final thought you leave us with, we can’t but echo wholeheartedly.

    Reply

Thank You :)