I remember trying to fall asleep
many nights on the stretcher
arm draped over my eyes
the diesel and latex smells
the pressure of the arm
on my eyes soothing me
into that dream where we wander
through the tall grass together
at night and the tigers
slink out of the forest
grabbing you one by one
me able only to bear witness
you too far gone to help
I remember a certain tiger hunter
they made a movie about him
the ghost in the darkness
how many did they pull down
before he took to the gun