Lioness And Cub

The lioness and cub laid down For standing's sometimes hard, The lioness still wore a frown, As if always on guard... As cute as cubs appear to be, Not one's that strong and brave, That's why their Mother's there to see What must be done to save... Just think of tame domestic cats, Without their hunting skills, All cosy on our rugs and mats, Where each one plays not kills... No thoughts of living prey at all, No lioness in sight, No guardian to stop a fall, Just humans day and night... But in the wild, the cubs depend On Mother keeping close, The guardian who can defend Against most kinds of foes... That truly makes a lasting bond, Almost their lifetimes through, When love persists and goes beyond What grown-up cubs can do... Denis Martindale, copyright April 2016. A poem based on a magnificent wildlife sketch, by artist Stephen Gayford. Google-search gayfordgallery and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.