Paper Tiger Poems | Examples


List of Member Poems

To a paper tiger

__________________________
With all the bravado of its president Trump, America is increasingly getting exposed as a paper tiger in the world today.
______________________
O ye paper tiger,
Dare me not with your sham roar,
I know your horoscope in full--
From which tree pulp you’re made,
By which mill, to what grade,
Why me, all the forest knows this,
You were made from old papers,
From dog-eared books recycled,
Your yellow shade bares all that aloud,
The dull stripes your family root shows,
Brag not nor wag your tail,
Keep it tucked to your hind,
False bravado no one’s esteem wins,
Go deep in wild forest
To know what it means to be a true tiger
And what, just a paper tiger.
Anyone can twist your tail, ride on you,
Stop that goat-like mien, it only reveals you.

Should ye still for a fight spoil,
I will, to burry you deep in soil
To give you a rare chance 
To grow as fresh green tree in a wood,
In woods dark and deep, true tigers flourish,
Not a recycled pale tiger like you.
___________________________  
Happenings |16.07.2026 | forest/wood, tiger, satire, USA, free verse

Premium Member A Paper Tiger

        His two objectives unmet
          Bibi approves the ‘deal’ he gets
        from Trump, in an unconscionable rush
          to bully Israel into a peace made of mush

        For 15 months Bibi touted 'non-negotiable' goals 
          All hostages returned, and Hamas crushed
       This ‘deal’ achieves neither, though lauded in the West
          To Trump, Bibi caved, a paper tiger when pressed

       Past time for Israel to assert itself on the world stage
          Show itself and the world that it’s come of age
       Vote Bibi out, along with his feckless friends
           Elect someone brave, who neither breaks nor bends

Life Is A Paper Tiger

Life is a paper tiger
We should forge ahead
When we have difficulties
If there are difficulties
We should create some
Difficulties and forge ahead
You are in the weak side
When life is in the strong side
Vice versa, we can't be terrified
By the paper tiger.


Premium Member Paper Tiger

 The tiger growled, puffing its chest
 Yet the donkey didn't seem stressed
 Tiger said, " your bones I'll chew
 and make a meal out of you
 But the donkey was unimpressed

Premium Member Paper Tiger

~fists of his always clenched so tight,
                       .                      yet nowhere ready to throw a punch. ~




Date written: 10/06/2021

Paper Tiger, Paper Moon

Paper tiger,
Good afternoon
Staring at
The paper moon
Lurking at
The water’s edge,
Capturing the
Beautiful origami bird


Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.

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