Royalty

Consider creatures great and small That live upon this Earth... In fact, we cannot count them all Or estimate their worth... Yet here they are, they have their place, Like birds that fill the skies! Like fish that swim with gentle grace, In tropic seas so nice! On land, we find the lion rules, A true majestic lord! We learn of him within our schools... How can he be ignored? Untamed, unchanged, defiant still, His roar sounds far and wide! It makes the bravest hearts to chill, That cannot be denied... He always keeps us pondering, The second he is seen. This creature has been called a king... The lioness, his queen... As long as lions have their place, His kingdom carries on... Until we can no longer trace These big cats... then it's gone... It must be said, he looks the part! Behold his majesty! So bold he looks a work of art! Like proper royalty! The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Royalty'.