Soon To Be King!

From cub to King the journey went In this young lion's life, Sometimes to seem like Heaven-sent, Sometimes so full of strife... Yet on he strove and persevered, Come sunshine or come rain, Despite the foes at first he feared That sought his great domain... No more that tiny cub that crawled, No more that fought and lost, For once his destiny had called, He chose to pay the cost... That lonesome lion paid the price With blood and sweat and tears, His very life to sacrifice As months turned into years... His body bore the scars that came, His foes unmerciful, Despite their hate, he bore the shame And that's the miracle... Uniting both the good and bad, Uniting weak and strong, Until at last each one felt glad, Content just to belong... Denis Martindale, copyright August 2015. Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting, by artist Stephen Gayford nb Google-search gayfordgallery and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.