It's The Year Of The Tiger

Today marks the beginning of  the Lunar New Year and ushers in the Year of the Tiger. The tiger symbolizes strength, courage and wisdom. In my family those born under the sign of the Tiger are Douglas, Mark and Katrina. So Happy New Year you three and may it be a good year for us all.

Ever since watching, and being a big fan of, the tv drama The Mentalist (2008-2015) I can no longer hear tiger without thinking of Patrick Jane (played by Simon Baker) and his nemesis, the serial killer, Red John. 

Red John uses a red smiley face as his 'signature' and in one of the episodes quotes the first lines of William Blake's poem Tyger, Tyger. Later, "tyger, tyger" are the dying words of suspects thought to be Red John. So now, when I hear or think about a tiger, I hear "Tyger, tyger burning bright" in my mind. 

The Tyger by William Blake

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 seize 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 water'd 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?