ABSENT FATHER

_____________

 

The father of

Seven children

Is absent from home.

Seven children are

Missing a playmate,

Missing a teacher,

Missing a provider.

He was lured

Away from his

Personal kingdom, beyond

 

The wildlife sanctuary.

 

A rifle,

A crossbow

Hastened his subtraction

From the dense 

Equation of life.

 

Now the royal

Family have a 

Relative to lean

On for basic

Food, warmth, safety,

Taking over the

Former king's duties.

Seven children have

Another playmate,

Another teacher,

Another provider

In their abode,

Filling the absence in--

Restoring the warmth lost--

 

And so the furry

Lion family must continue,

Beyond the growing cubs,

Beyond their uncle,

The king's brother

In spirit.

 

May no hunter

Tear this asunder.

 

__________________

W: 8.12.15

[ For the African lions Cecil & Jericho. ]

 

[ From the book Plans, Nomadic Press, 2022. ]