Cautious

The white wolf wasn't all too keen To challenge anyone. He heard a noise, his heart turned mean, Beneath the fading sun... When cautious instincts made him wait, His eyes scanned high and low. In seconds, he would learn his fate... To stay here or to go... The lone wolf listened for some clues Of movement left or right. Another noise was more bad news... Yet he was born to fight! The minutes melted silently... Yet nothing more was heard... Now drained of curiosity, He took a chance and stirred. With leaps and bounds, he crossed the plains, Escaping dangers there. The cautious white wolf broke the chains That he was forced to bear. The path ahead was open wide And so new life begins... New confidence helped him decide, Throw caution to the winds... His heartbeat calmed beside the stream... He drank his fill... time passed... In time, this day would seem a dream... For now, he slept... at last... The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Cautious'.