The Lion


He is an old lion
but he still
kills his own food


The old lion lies languidly
before another parting sun
He has watered
he has fed
Contentedly he stretches
to his full
still powerful extent
He has hunted
the guile of age
disdaining the extravagance
of youthful speed
He has satisfied
his hungry love of life
with time-defying pride
in the courage
passion and desire
to stay alive
now his lioness
has gone


The old lion
resolved
when he could
no longer
kill his food
he'd pick a fight
to lose