A Word on Lions

On the day you are born you are gifted a box of lion cubs
By the neglectful owner of a run down circus
Attached to the box is a note that says
"You are the ringmaster now".

The owner, because he is drunk or broken
Or simply uninterested, gives you no further instruction
So it doesn't seem odd when the lions begin to act out

They're lions, you think to yourself, they're meant to be wild.
But lion cubs mature much faster than human children
So soon you have a pride of
Adult lions snarling and pacing around you

One is very affectionate but doesn't realize its strength
And sometimes plays too rough
One is very loyal but lashes out with tooth and claw
If it ever senses uncertainty

One is fearless to the point of recklessness
And often hurts you or puts you in harm's way
One is very trusting but if you make a single mistake
It will slice you open and never trust you again

One is very intelligent but is often influenced by the others
Which lead it to become furious when things go wrong.
One offers nothing but whispers and taunts when the others
Have worn you down to your weakest

And there you are a child alone
Surrounded by these beautiful and terrifying animals
With no idea how to make them behave
So you build a cage and lock yourself up with your lions
You let them out when they are quiet
But they never stay quiet for long.

Now you're an adult.
People see you going about with your lions
They are drawn to the air of honesty affection loyalty fun
And intelligence that follows you

Love and the discovery that lions are jealous creatures
Mercurial animals that lovers can't tame
Soon they grow tired and when they crawl out of the cage
Cut to ribbons they curse you and your lions

And so it goes for years
So many people come and go
That you can't remember all the names
Some stay a year or two some only a day
While you begin to hate the lions

You try to bargain with them
But you have nothing they need
You try to outrun them but they chase you like prey
You try to poison them and strangle them and make them bleed
But they are mighty creatures

Eventually,if you haven't died from your wounds
And loneliness too you accept that they're your lions
And you find a kind ringmaster with scars of their own
To teach you how to tame them.

But lions are wild and lions are strong
If you take your eye off them they might rip you to shreds
But you're the ringmaster of your own circus now

So don't let go of the whip