Tiger Trouble

 Tiger Trouble - Judah Rhee (F.A. Day Middle School, 8th Grade)

In a rainforest, 

I am trudging through the heat When I see tigers. 

I stop in my tracks; 

Too late, the tigers spot me. They circle around. 

They growl, snarl, 

Waiting for the right moment To attack their prey. 

Black and orange stripes– Their big jaws and intense stare, Intimidating. 

It’s like a bad dream; 

A nightmare where I will die A quick painful death. 

This is real life, 

I am not ready to die. 

Not yet, not ever. 

There is a small gap 

In the tigers' formation. 

I race through the hole. 

I am fleeing far. 

With the tigers chasing me, I can’t outrun them. 

I climb up a tree, 

Praying tigers can’t climb trees, Hoping for safety. 

I pick up my phone 

Intending to call for help.

The phone rings and rings. 

They pick up the phone. I am told help is on the way, That I should sit tight. 

I stay in the tree, 

What feels like eternity– Was just two hours. 

When rescue arrives, 

The tigers grudgingly leave. I am still alive.