Captive Lions

WE have to feel sorry for all captive Lions
Caught in the arrogance trap
Really it’s worse than the cancer we know of
The absurdity of it does slap
A kind of euphoria onto the players
Whereas Those that once reigned seem inept
Wildness was wonderful but now captivity
In many ways we have swept

All of that vivacious quality
Under the carpet of life
Left in a cage unsuspecting
Full of surprises and strife
Fed on the price range that matters
Infected perhaps who can say
TB is rampant we are hearing
And this could be what is today

Another big risk for the wild Lions
It’s indeed a fallibility
With no sage or luminary here now to question
And that possibly karma will be
And maybe perhaps will be their saving grace
Something just has to for they
Need to lose that human factor
That coveted place far away

They were the kings of the jungle
Stalwart and strong
You have to tell me
Where it’s all gone wrong
They are the iconic ones
With their great roar
They have the majesty
Few dare ignore

Concealed in our purdah
Deep underground
Canned hunted victims
Callously drowned
In the blood and resentment
In the terror and tone
In the falsehood of fashion
As fresh seeds are sown

We have to protect them
Their ardour and glow
Their classic expressions
Wherever they go
Caged but undaunted
A great will to rise
The impulse of knowing
Just to realise

What Nature provides
Is the perfect design
Always in ascendancy
And perfectly fine
Your mandate to lead
Your compulsion to be
The master in fact
To the wild souls we see

If TB is raging
Unbridled you are
You are ungovernable
You are the star
You are the king
of the jungle
And you
Must March now unaided
Out into the blue