A Stone Lion

Photograph donated by photographer Timothy Barash

A stone lion, weeping painted tears,

beneath a two-dimensioned heart.

His howls can almost reach my ears.

I could forget he’s just a work of art.

See the rage and horror in those eyes?

Were his cubs killed? His whole pride?

Who did this? Who did he despise,

enough to harden everything inside?

This noble creature’s tearful loss,

the grief of life collecting dust,

is an illusion, sealed in gloss.

None if it is more real than just

a stone lion, weeping painted tears,
beneath a two-dimensioned heart.