Teeth and Ambitions
My tarnished hide has always been your shadow.
A sensational murky black cast
behind your gold. Seared by the savanna
sun, on that day I counted each tail swish & watched
in delicious injustice as you took
my place. Underneath the roar
of countless stomping, clomping, romping,
hoofs, paws, and bird feathers I heard it. The power
of each step you placed pounding swiftly into grey stone. Filling
grooves that were made for my paws.
My birth name, Taka;
Trash, Dirt, is littered
with indignity. Past foolishness carved
permanently into my face,
a Scar. My pride, Mufasa,
will never heal.
It has always been a matter of pride.
Between you and I, when you were dangling
off the edge of the earth, my claws
sitting delicately between muscle and bone, I felt you
tense. Saw your eyes dilate, and in golden reflection knew
my place. Barely contained glory oozed
from between my teeth as I grinned,
"Long live the King."