African Sunset

As the sun was setting slowly, The lion settled down... Forewarned, majestic and holy, Adorned in golden brown... Without a qualm, without a care, At peace with all he knew, Just calmly breathing in the air Beneath the sky so blue... The hot, hot sun had soothed his mind, All signs of rage had gone And as it left the day behind, The moon must carry on... Night creatures stirred within the soil, Yet few would sense his power... Nor think of him that he was royal And over them he'd tower... The birds approached him without fear, They knew that he was old... They taunted him as they drew near, Delighting to be bold... The sunset of his life was now, When midnight comes to call... He bore no frown upon his brow... You see, he'd done it all... Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2010. The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'African Sunset'.