Striped Reptile

I hid the key in the tiger's mouth. I hid it in the largest tiger I owned. He was the barer of intimate knowledge: prohibited secrets I shared with no one else. His glass eyes didn't reveal anything. I felt safe in the haven of his unprejudiced and unfeeling stare.

I hid the key in the tiger's mouth until I didn't believe secrets mattered, until I became a chameleon and adapted to everyone and everything in my life.

I lost the key that I used to secret away in the tiger's mouth.

I'm the blood eagle. Beyond my flapping lungs you can see and feel my heart. What will you do? Does that power frighten you?

It's okay.
It's all right.

I trust you.