Tyger Fire

The same tyger fire that burns also lights the way;
the thing that makes the eagle soar also pierces his prey;
the rockets that men build, they build to penetrate the stars;
the same thing that heals and cures also hurts and scars.

 

It is this primal driving force; it is, for good or ill,
this thing that makes us stay the course, a purpose, to fulfill;
that makes the salmon swim up stream and leap up steepest hill
and it is sad, I know, when that same force destroys and kills.

 

But what would we achieve without that fire in our souls;
without that crazy craving driving us towards our goals
rather than be bright tygers we'd be gloomy pussy cats
hid away in dark forests and what is the use of that.

 

So, I say, raise your torches; let their tyger flames leap high;
those same bright flames are rockets that will take us to the sky;
those same bright flames the golden mane upon a lion sun
that will, one day, I know, light up the way for everyone.