The Lion was destined to close the door that day – the final goodbye,
All wept as He moved to ‘Nevermore’,
The heart was the culprit of 16 years gone by,
The Hart, the Lion’s heart, bound by Heaven,
‘When, in disgrace with Fortune and men’s eyes’.

The Lion heard the sea’s call – and she took her mighty treasure,
Hopes of washing out to the vanishing point what had happened in the past,
Instead, she spewed forth a rock, a rock, an incandescent rock,
Ashore the Lion found a second love, a Taurus, whose love was meant to heal His wounded paws,
However, Their rock was crafted from a bonfire of excess,
The Lion felt Euphoriba and everyday a new spurge,
Yet, He seethed and commanded a red morning,
A pinch of sand seeking a tempest lighthouse,
A final flash of light and the Clipper crashed and cast the Lion ashore.

The Lion left the sun and sea to return to the cacophony of the jungle,
On the path he found a Jaguar, who would become his companion,
He found others to share his life, other assorted Creatures to revel with,
They formed a pride, as ‘it goeth before the fall’.

The Lion, now, climbs solely atop the hill,
And He seeks serenity from the Bee, courage from the Beast, and wisdom from the Owl,
The Lion shut the door a second time, knowing the Hart was always there.

—Tony P.