The Tiger King

Inspired by the incongruous Joe exotic Documentary You think because I smile I’m happy, well it’s one big facade, Strut round my insane kingdom, driving all and sundry mad, Like the tigers in my cages, hiding a life of pent up pain, I’m a fraud a loser a below par human, Carole’s the blame. Red herrings my speciality, but she will not take the bait, I know she killed her husband, then his body the tigers ate, One mission in life, to be undisputed big cat king, Sit upon my throne like Nero, lighting fires while I sing. Haters bastards begrudgers, every step I take, Urging yearning me to crack, Well I ain’t going to break, Disgusting cowardly clones, with the same toothless face, Ignominious wretched pigs, my defeat you’ll never taste. The loathing inside’s unspeakable, but I just can’t hold my tongue, Feel it in my stentorian voice, Can’t control this temper long, Feeding off the hate, nourishes the will to take her under, Paranoid in self pity and woe, I’ve just made a serious blunder. Life is unraveling gradually, delusions of grandeur smother, Forced to show my hand, scrutinized by hating others, Keeping my best side out, whilst been eating alive within, Won’t back down, a cornered cat, will attempt a pyrrhic win. Alas my soul dies in prison, cos the system got it wrong, I am innocent, was all her fault, in here that fat cow belongs, No more sidearms for protection, goddamnit miss my gun, Wish I was a tiger in a cage, concrete walls block out the sun. Joe exotic never did kill Carole, not for the want of trying, Was served to the Feds by felons, who stole his sideshow shrine, Karma your own worse enemy, if mixing with conmen and liars, When looking for someone to burn, throw each other upon the fire. Podium Placing Promise (5) Poetry Contest Sponsored by Brian Strand 04/01/2021