tiger tiger 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 and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And, when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and 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?

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

Hmmmm, I wonder what Blake was thinking about when he wrote this. It seems like he's asking where this beautiful but feared creature came from, how could such an evil beast exist? While he is terrified of the tiger he still appreciates the beauty in it. In simple terms, he can fear it yet be in awe simultaneously. Blake inquires if it's possible that the lamb was born of the same god, contrasting innocence and brutality.

The duality of man.

Which brings me to Tiger Woods. I'm sure by now everyone has heard his very public (and poorly written) mea culpa. OK, I get it, he's sorry, he let us down, he wants us to believe in him again. Come on people, he cheated on his wife, he didn't kill anyone. He's famous because he's the best golfer to ever play the game, that's it. His betrayal affected his wife and subsequently his kids. Not me, so please Tiger, do not apologize to me, you didn't do anything to me. Work it out with her, or not, it's your business. I'd like to say that the press is to blame for this, but if the public wasn't holding their collective breath waiting on all things Tiger it wouldn't even be an issue. Today the entire country stopped everything to watch Tiger Woods publicly admit to his transgressions. Great, can you get back to playing golf now? Maybe all this BS will stop.

I started this with the poem because it shows the extremes, the tiger and the lamb. Tiger Woods was on top of the world before we were all introduced to his army of skanks. He was everywhere, cereal boxes, video games, spokesman for a thousand different product. You name it Tiger Woods was on it, a role model for all. We hoisted him up on the highest of pedestals, so when he fell, it was dramatic. Therein lies the problem: why do we continue to turn celebrities into role models? Are we so afraid to live up to our own expectations that we need to rely on athletes, rock stars and actors? I want to be the role model for K, D wants to be one too, I want K to look up to her teachers for inspiration, not someone she watches on TV (when we let her watch it).

This whole ridiculous media frenzy is disgusting, leave this poor family alone and let them deal with it. If we didn't transform pop culture icons into heroes they wouldn't have to turn into villains. If we honored those individuals who excel in everyday actions like kindness, selflessness and tolerance or exhibited traits like integrity and humility, life wouldn't hinge on the daily activities of athletes and actors.

If we held ourselves accountable for our lives and our actions we wouldn't have to place the blame for the downfall of our society on a guy who cheated on his wife.

If we want to compare tigers and lambs we should go to the zoo.