Proud Mother

Within this world of wondrous things, Snow leopards learn to live... From gentle cubs, as underlings, To parents, life to give. To each his own, that's how it goes, The male and female breed, Such that new life within her grows, Until they, too, are freed... Then all at once those cubs must learn What life is all about, And thus, in time, respect to earn, No longer rules to flout... They choose to serve within a team, Survival to ensure, No matter if through acts extreme That shake us to the core... Their mother is their constant guide And yet their closest friend. That's why she looks on them with pride Until the bitter end... For she's known love and she's known death And yearns to stay alive... Until she breathes her final breath, She'll help them to survive... Denis Martindale, copyright, January 2011. The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Proud Mother'. More Stephen Gayford poems here: denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com