Siesta Time

The lioness was much more wise Than two cubs in her charge, For one of them had droopy eyes As sleep was looming large... His little head was heading south And Mum was smirking now, A crooked smile across her mouth, A frown upon her brow... The other cub was somewhat still, Propped up with sturdy limbs, But pretty soon he'd lose the will Just as the sunshine dims... But sleepy head was sinking fast, His jaw upon the rocks, His eyelids heavy at half mast, Like gormless Goldilocks! Mum shook her head yet didn't growl, He had to learn one day, He had no need to fight just scowl To scare something away... Just bare the teeth, just stare them out, Make sure they know he's cross! No need to chase them all about! Just let them know who's boss! Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2012. The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Siesta Time'. More Stephen Gayford poems here: denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com