The Heart of The Tiger

[This poem is dedicated to my grandfather and is based on a true event in his life that occurred a very long time ago.]

This is the time, when you’re locked in a race,

This is the time, when in dread embrace,

This is the time, when you’re face to face,

It's time to gaze into the heart of the Beast.

(Heart of the Beast! Soul of the Beast!)

Now, when your bare hands are gripping his claws,

Now, when your souls have come this close,

Now, when your head is half in his jaws,

It's time to dive into the heart of the Beast.

(Burning forest in the belly of the Beast!)

And when he roars night skies turn white,

And stars stare down - black eyes sans sight,

And his fangs blot out the celestial light,

It's time to drill into the heart of the Beast.

(Ravenous mountains in the mind of the Beast!)

And in the yellow eyes rimmed with black,

And in the cavernous throat the tongue lolls back,

And ere your torn, bleeding arms go slack,

It’s time to rip out the heart of the Beast.

Now!

Now's the time... now's the time...now...

Now’s the t-time to rip out…

(metallic… bit-ter… ness… in your mouth…)

Rip it out… crush in the…

(buzzing metal in your mou-th…)

Tear it out… tear it apart…

(chainsaw buz…zing in your brai…)

Crush in the skull…

(wall scra…ping... raw skin...your back...)

Of the Tiger…