Lioness And Cubs

The lioness and cubs remained As close as close could be, For now with nothing to be gained Amid the scenery... One cub with tiny legs stretched out, The other near to sleep, While Mother looking all about, Her vigil still to keep... But soon those scamps would run and play And pounce and bite and chew, Rehearsing hunting every day And muscle-building, too... Yet not for long beneath that sun That wandered far above, The heat affecting everyone, Sometimes more than enough... The days would melt to months then years, Their youths to end in time, Then gone would be their childhood fears When each one stood sublime... No matter what each day presents, The Mother charts their course, From courage to come confidence, From whimpers to come roars... Denis Martindale, copyright August 2015. Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting, by artist Stephen Gayford nb Google-search gayfordgallery and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.