The lion, the powerful,
darting through the woods—
soft footfalls, barely audible
give way to yawning jaws,
consuming his prey
in eternal flame.
Ruler of the land,
he holds power, knowledge.
With knowledge
comes painful truths—
arrogance, greed—
consuming the lion, their victim
in ceaseless turmoil.
He prowls the night,
silence lingering
for he cannot confide.
He alone
must shoulder the burden, the trials,
that come with power.

The lamb, the submissive,
darting from the woods—
rapid footfalls, blundering about
give hints of a narrow escape.
Meek and naïve,
he remains ignorant, sheltered
in the warm haven
of his herd.
He scampers in the daylight
surrounded by friends
accepted, loved,
oblivious
to the woes of the lion.

The sharp, insightful finch,
preening her golden feathers,
analyzes the scene unfolding—
the lion, alone,
the lamb, with his herd—
she trembles at the authority of the lion,
but aspires to be like the lamb.