The Truth About Tigers

Pencil poised over clean paper,
ready for orders.

It waits.

The command never comes.
Somewhere behind the eyes,
a small mutiny breaks out—
nothing dramatic,
just everyone deciding
to sit down at once.

What used to be a war room
is suddenly quiet.
Maps still on the table.
Coffee going cold.

At ease, Number Two.

We’ll regroup,
and like the French and the Indians,
mount our attack at dawn.