Classic Poem

Villanelle

Starving, savage, I aspire
To the red meat of all the World:
I am the Tiger of Desire!

With teeth bared, and claws uncurled,
By leave o' God I creep to slay
The innocent of all the World.

Out of the yellow, glaring day,
When I glut my appetite,
To my lair I slink away.

But in the black, returning night
I leap resistless on my prey,
Mad with agony and fright.

The quick flesh I tear away,
Writhing till the blood is hurled
On leaf and flower and sodden clay.

My teeth are bared, my claws uncurled,
Of the red meat I never tire;
In the black jungle of the World
I am the Tiger of Desire!