The Lion and the Tiger…
A fearsome pair were they.
Who roamed the ancient halls of stone,
And in the snake's den lay.
In arms they were near equal,
Well built to meet their fate.
For the Lion wore his mane of pride,
And the Tiger built his hate.
They passed the years of learning,
Both together and apart,
One would grow to be a king.
The other would disaster bring...
...But both would soon their promise sing,
To give the Cobra their heart.
And the Cobra watched the lion and the tiger,
And he hissed, and his tone was pleasure filled…
He took them to himself,
And placed on them his sign,
Told them what he willed…
And the kings of beasts went forward from the cobra,
But when they glanced behind the path they'd known was gone…
The Tiger shut his eyes, as they took the road that lies…
Beyond…
…The years had passed, the forest was dead,
None of the animals were brave enough to raise their head.
The Lion roared out,
…but no reply was said…
For the Tiger lay broken in the shadows,
With his coat blood splattered, old, and torn.
No light in his eyes, nor courage in his heart,
A spirit stained and worn.
He raised his head, a dying rasp, and he said…
"If for but a moment, my past I could grasp…
And turn back the clock, from now to then,
And be my own king just once more, again…
Then…
I'd always roam the ancient halls,
And with the serpents sleep,
But I would not let my hatred grow, to pull me down this deep…
And now I see my only hope, is the hope the fallen keep…
That I will be free…"
But before the eyes could shut,
And the fire cease to burn,
Another started sputtering… he heard someone muttering…
Softly, so softly, gold feathers brushed his face,
It was as if he lay dying,
In another place…
In all its glory, sat the Phoenix,
Old and wise…
And it said,
"I know you well my friend, I knew you by your eyes.
You were a cub, I watched you grow…
My halls of stone taught you all that you had wished to know.
…Before you go to sleep,
Here's one last lesson, I want you to keep…
Hope, keep it in your heart,
Hope, is a fire ever burning, and hope…
It will lead you ever well, if you take it to yourself,
If you let it start to grow…
Then it is all you need… to know."
The story has no ending, because nothing ever ends…
But I will tell you where the men stand now, my friends.
The Lion and the Cobra, share company still,
I fear they always will…
And the Phoenix has returned now to the flame,
Blessed was his time with us, and honored is his name.
…as for the Tiger, if you must know.
Part of him is dead, it will never grow.
The rest of him lives on, …for show.
His wounds are deep…
…But he still remembers, and so will not sleep,
That spark, the low glowing flame,
The Phoenix's lessons, remain…
…Hope's a funny thing…
Yes...
...The Lion and the Tiger,
A fearsome pair were they.
Who roamed the ancient halls of stone,
And in the snake's den, lay.