1

Aunt Jennifer's tigers prance across a screen,

2

Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.

3

They do not fear the men beneath the tree;

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They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.

5

Aunt Jennifer's fingers fluttering through her wool

6

Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.

7

The massive weight of Uncle's wedding band

8

Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer's hand.

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When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie

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Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.

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The tigers in the panel that she made

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Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.