'Keep up! ' the lioness declared <br />To lion cubs behind, <br />Because, in truth, she really cared, <br />With dangers on her mind... <br />For even lions aren't immune <br />From predators around, <br />No matter, midnight or high noon, <br />To such, all lives are bound... <br /> <br />'Keep up! ' she told them, based on fears <br />That neither cub yet knew, <br />For she had learnt from all her years <br />What other creatures do... <br />Though she could run at speed and flee, <br />They weren't as yet that strong, <br />That's why she warned, 'Stay close to me <br />And don't just tag along! ' <br /> <br />'Keep up! ' she growled with her stern voice, <br />Alerting them to harm, <br />Despite the peace, they had no choice <br />And thus ignored the calm... <br />One cub looked back, his eyes alert, <br />That was his day of days, <br />Aware of dangers that occurred, <br />He learnt to change his ways... <br /> <br /> <br />Denis Martindale, copyright, January 2013. <br /> <br /> <br />The poem is based on the magnificent painting <br />by Stephen Gayford called 'Keep Up'. <br /> <br />More Stephen Gayford poems here: <br />denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com<br /><br />Denis Martindale<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/keep-up-2/
