Tenderness

The Summer's heat can calm the soul Of creatures great and small And with this comes their self-control With tenderness for all. Thus lions walk without remorse, So close they're side-by-side... As if they'd lost their callous claws And conscience was their guide. At times like these, when peace holds sway And there's no need to frown, The alpha male looks not for prey Or ways to prove his crown... He merely walks, like sovereigns do, In courtyards near their homes, Next to the ones whose love is true As told in precious poems. From Nature's plan their cubs proceed, Born free like royalty, The lionesses know their need And sacred destiny... The cubs bring joyful times of play, Affection now and then, Thus lionesses lead the way - Life's circle turns again... The Summer's heat grants memories When life was oh so sweet And suddenly it brings release So that the heart's complete... That's when blessed lions fall in love And think that life's sublime... And then they're not so rough and tough Because it's tenderness time... The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Tenderness II'. More Stephen Gayford poems here: denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com