Saturday, June 23

Tigers Stalk Greene County
By Alex Carrier



I first spotted them beyond the bank beside my house. Just a twitch in the new green of spring, a shadow, a different dark.

Days later, along the crest of the hill, perhaps a breeze fluttered the tops of grasses or perhaps it was a phantom stripe of tawny rust young with dusty spots. A moment, a movement and the glimpse was gone.

Then last week, beside the beach, I spotted a group low against the sand, crouched along the water’s edge, hiding amid the bushes that brush their lowest limbs across the lake’s face leaving ripples that travel down the arc of the shore. Hidden, then not, in the dark glossy leaves, a peek of brilliant orange, a flash of gold or was it just the sunlight playing in the lush foliage?

They stalk our quiet county, these tigers. Alone and in groups large and small, they race the cars along the back roads, play amidst the fields like striped bronze ghosts who then slip quickly amongst the ancient trees and heavy kudzu draped across power lines and old timber.

I try not to look too close. You must be careful you see not to startle or agitate them by looking them straight in the eye – unless, of course, you are invited.

This morning, early, when dawn had not quite opened her eyes and clouds rolled and left their hollows to commute to high-rise offices; I saw the tigers advance. They too, were still sleepy from night; still tucked close but awakening.

Then they pounced. Their mouths opened wide, the deep orange petals yawning to expose butter-yellow throats.

They pitch and roll in the sunlight and wind, my tiger lilies, and coyly invite the birds and butterflies and bees to come sip and take some pollen on to friends. These lilies, unfettered by gardens or gardeners and left to nature’s fancy, are spread beyond the mere boundaries of my yard.

While the fireflies lay claim to the flickering orange/yellow of summer evening; it is the tiger lilies who proclaim their dominion over summer’s day. There is no acre of county uninhabited by one or two or a cluster or even an entire family filling fields with blossoms.

The tigers stretch with laughing yawns and happily purr about their wildness.

If you like this blog, you should see what is on our free web magazines Virginia Greene http://www.vgreene.com/ and Greene Lite www.vgreene.com/greenelite.
© 2007 Virginia Greene

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