Little Princess

The cheetah cub had no idea That she was royalty, For no-one there had made it clear She had a destiny... Mankind decreed her status so, Endangered like the rest, Yet ask her how, she couldn't know, For she thought she was blessed... Her family was quite enough, Her treasure trove on Earth, For they bestowed their hearts with love, They proved that she had worth... To such as these, a constant joy, Their legacy, their child, So innocent, so sweet, so coy, So gentle and so mild... One day to rule, but until then, A fragile, tiny thing, Someone to comfort now and then, When she stares wondering... She needs the time to study well, The land, the trees, the skies, For all have secrets they must tell To make her strong and wise... Denis Martindale, copyright August 2015. Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting, by artist Stephen Gayford nb Google-search gayfordgallery and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.