The Tiger Dog

A tiger with yellowish fur
crouches in his mind,
lands on a live dog
from the palette.
It gets a ferocious look
as air turns turbulent.
The painted black stripes
are like waves
appearing in a serene stream.
His brush gives grandeur to
the insignificant creature,
as if a matchstick lights
a kerosene lamp.

Being let loose,
the tiger dog stands
under the eaves of dark,
petrifying passers-by.
Fear sparks
through aesthetic pleasure –
art transforming crime.

First published in the Spring 2021 issue of MudRoom Mag.
This poem has been nominated for inclusion in the Best of the Net Anthology.