Exhausted

To say the sun was way too hot Was simply not enough. To think, that tiny golden dot Was burning bright above. The lion cub had spent his strength, Just playing with his friends And now, he laid down, stretched full length, Exhausted as day ends... The adult lions stared amused, Yet knew one day he'd learn. To pace himself, for there's no boost And there's no second turn... The slightly older cubs still played, While he laid motionless... They'd learnt some wisdom and obeyed, Without the need to guess. The lion cub could hear them still And gazed through weary eyes, For he'd lost both the strength and will... To join the other guys... Plum tuckered out! All on his Todd! He couldn't pounce or creep... And since no-one gave him a prod, He gently went to sleep... 'Poor thing! ' the adults all agreed, Acknowledging their sorrow... And promised they'd help him succeed, 'We'll feed him up... tomorrow...' The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Exhausted'. More Stephen Gayford poems can be read here: denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com