Her Ladyship

The lioness stayed, the sights to see, As life continued on... She knew one day, with certainty, Her life would soon be gone... Though now she was within her prime, The peak years of her youth, Those precious years would pass in time, Towards the final truth... Her ladyship looked quite refined When seen both near and far... Though many suitors she declined, One day, she'd find her star. Her special one, her lion lord, Her regal Romeo. The one her beating heart adored, The one she'd not let go... Togetherness is like a rose That stirs from bud to bloom And love is like a stream that flows To wash away the gloom... Her ladyship surveyed the land, In search of one true friend... Awaiting what their fate had planned, Before she met her end. Their cubs would learn their lessons well... To stand as she stood now, To see life's magic cast its spell, Before one final bow... Survival stirred her valiant heart, Beyond death's cold embrace... To live anew in cubs that start Their lives and thus replace. Behold life's grim mortality... Let wisdom conquer dread. Like her, you, too, can be born free The day you plan ahead... The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Her Ladyship'.