Tiger Pause

My fiancé and I went one day
to Canada’s Winnipeg zoo.
The gates slammed shut as the loudspeaker said,
“White tiger now on the loose.”

I looked at she, and she looked at me,
and both of us uttered an ooh.
She said, “White tigers are commonly bred,
yet we had better vamoose.”

“Where can we go?” I wanted to know,
“I think this zoo closure is true.”
Then in an instant her face turned to red--
“How could I be so obtuse?”

So we made tracks like there were thumb tacks
applied to the backs of we two.
My fiancé stopped and said, “Golly Ned,
my tennis shoe has come loose!”

As we repaired, an elephant stared
and seemed rather irked at the view.
He waved his trunk at the shoe that was shed—
we tried to offer excuse.

Then it was clear the tiger was near;
a threatening growl was the clue.
We wondered when the white tiger was fed;
were both of our necks in a noose?

Various snacks were in our knapsacks,
some OJ and Oreos too.
Then as the tiger came right on ahead,
I had a thought for a truce.

He was appeased, and we felt at ease;
there was no more tiger ado.
It was a day to get closer instead—
we gave him cookies and juice.


32 Lines
Writer's Cramp Co-Winner
7-7-19