for Carrie

Within yourself you suddenly sense the presence of a ferocious tiger. You can calm him. Here’s how. Squat down and look steadily into his wild eyes. Notice your breathing. He will growl and pace and snap at you. No matter what happens, keep your eyes on his. Once his rage burns off he’ll put his snout right up against yours and hold completely still and glare at you with an icy, all-consuming malevolence. Keep breathing and keep looking into those eyes. Don’t touch him and don’t say a thing. Just keep staring as deeply as you can into his bottomless amber eyes and keep staring and staring until you can no longer tell whether you’re looking out at the chirrupy blooming jungle through your eyes or his.