Tiger sighting

Since going to India in June-July 2009, I have a new respect for William Blake. I saw a tiger (more than one) in a natural environment whilst there, and at first viewing, quite close from an open jeep, tears unpredictably rolled down my cheeks. The best kind of crying.

I don't really know why I had this reaction, but guess it was the power of the beast or perhaps its beauty. Some things are best left unanalysed. So here is the poem. I don't know if William Blake had actually seen a tiger, but regardless, he recognised a higher being played out in its beauty that may be what I reacted to:

The Tyger (from Songs of Experience)
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

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

1794