Tiger Wings

By Dave Hite

I enjoy the sunsets

almost as much as I enjoy

the sunrise.

Melting vermillion and streaking plum

coat the night sky in magic.

I think of my stint of childhood;

the brevity of my time on the ground.

I was cornered—stuck—listening to

my one-track mind.

Eat, it told me.

Eat until you have to close your eyes.

Strength is necessary

if you want to touch the clouds.

It worked,

listening to the heavy growl of my stomach.

I ate the green leaves of my birthplace

and set off preparing for my hibernation.

Excitement dripped from every atom

of my body

until my bed was fully made.

Sleep quickly took the reigns of my mind

and guided me to its intoxicating pits.

I stayed unconscious for months on end,

drearily aware of the world 

that was marching on around me.

Your time is near,

I heard a voice whisper to me.

I waited for more,

but none came,

leaving me yearning to finally come out

of the darkness.

Emerging back into the world

took its toll.

From the sordid remains of my cocoon

to the crinkle of my transformed body,

fear laced my every movement—

terror gripped my every whim.

Luckily, the torture of what could’ve been

didn’t last too long.

I survived.

I conquered.

I am alive in this world made anew!

With lingering hesitation,

I push myself to flap my wings.

I work and work until I am slowly 

fluttering past the bush that had created me

and my limited lifeblood.

I strain past exhaustion,

past forest limits,

until I finally reach giant fields of fire.

My future has just become

a beaming present.

I take my time

meandering through the vast pastures

that call to me like a

wolf to the moon.

My tiger wings drift upon each delicate petal,

picking up their little gifts

as I take a parcel of my own.

My antennae twitch as I 

stick my tongue into the bolt flame,

relief flooding my tired insides.

Content,

I wander through the flowers and sky,

hidden because of the new pattern

that frames my undying spirit.

I am invisible to predators,

but a shimmering diamond to those 

who dream to admire.

I feel safe in my new atmosphere now,

fulfilled to the brim.

My eyes marvel at the

heavenly horizon.

I’m afraid to close my eyes against 

the sunset, now, 

since if I’m not greeted 

with a sunrise,

I’ll know I’m no longer free…

By Dave Hite