a love you must find

look into the eyes of a tiger -
the liquid gold,
the hypnotic black,
simmering with a quiet flamboyance.

do you see a wild animal,
ruthless, heartless and power-full?
do you see the pitiful plight
of what's bygone, lost or dying?
do you see the sleight of movement,
waiting to overpower you?

or do you hear the roar of silent grace,
an effortless becoming of all that is?
do you see the primal, unplaceable beauty
of owning a skin?
and the unflinching arrows of a truth
that cannot be held or described?

look into the eyes of a tiger,
and touch the majesty of a love
for the skin you have,
a love that you must find.