THE

TEMPORARY TIGER

Somehow

A housecat

Has become a tiger.

One day I looked Into the glass

All meekness and propriety

And when next

I chanced to mirror-front,

I saw confidence,

Napoleonate,

Enthroned upon the pane.

Today

Heads will fall,

And weeks of long consideration,

Ravished of their fruit,

Lie still.

Today I am an army

By myself,

My face and body

Dressed in braid

And aspect of command,

Words

Pour through my pen,

Sing rich harmonies

Into my ears.

Today, crowned with confidence,

I rein invincible,

Tomorrow

I may sleep till noon.

john

myron patrick

PAN: publication of Forbundet av 1948

Pocket-size monthly, in Danish; articles, poems, and news.

Ninth year.

Postboks 1023, Copenhagen K., Denmark.

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