Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

("The Tyger" - William Blake)


During last night's haunted sleep
I was cursed with dreams that creep;
Climb from trees as branches groan
Grasses whisper, "Not Alone!"
Not alone! I strain to see
Who is in my dream with me?
What is creeping through the trees?
There! My fear hits such a height;
There he stands, I see! I see!
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright!

Horror! I must run from thee!
Horrid Tyger, let me be!
Horrid dream, what did I do
To call upon the likes of you?
What did I eat, Who did I wrong
The stout I drank was not so strong
To make me see such frights as these
Let me wake, I beg you, please,
Fate, don't let me suffer on
In the forests of the night!

Tyger! O, I can't escape
Every place I run you chase;
Never catch, just nip my heel,
Laugh because I jump and squeal
Let me wake, oh let me rise!
I'll sleep no more, nor close my eyes
Who dealt these cards which I now hold?
Which power, demon, force untold?
What mind of hell or earth or sky?
What immortal hand or eye?

What right have you, oh fate of fates?
Don't be bitter if I hate
He who handed me this dream
With its Tyger, in his leaves.
Take it back! You have no right
To invade a peaceful night!
What sort of ugly soul, Oh Dream,
Has heart to cause such Hell as Thee?
May he, too, never close his eyes,
Who frames thy fearful symmetry!


Celeste Cote, March 18th 2002

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