For the past 24 years, those pewter pieces have stood

The pair of them gazing at each other, looking good

The Lion, standing quite solidly in his Regal stance

With the Ram perched on its hind legs - in a prance <v>

A clear symbol of a relationship which was tried & true

But, which now - is over ... and has left me quite blue

For it made many twists and turns through the years

Even one very major one ... which caused many tears <v>

And over the past six or seven weeks I've not written

But've done many other things by which I've been bitten

Even turned another year older, hitting the half-century

And've celebrated by overhauling my living room & pantry <v>

In the process of which - I took down many past cards

Some of which fell down from upper shelf, landing hard

Falling upon my beautiful pewter statues - the two pair

But only one of which fell down, not from a gust of air <v>

And I saw it there, lying upon its pranced postured side

Chose not to uplift it to place it back in Lion's pride

And still it lies there - motionless - without substance

Quite symbolic of a closed part of my life, now askance <v>

And as I welcome a new direction my life will yet take

I relish the future, quite devoid of my past mistakes

Many which were caused by the rushing of male hormones

Which claimed not only my body, but also my mind, zoned <v>

And now - I am free ... to focus on my art and craft

Without the bother of love's search - which, in past

So cost me, I sometimes did lose my ultimate good focus

As I was redirected to follow things which choked us ... <v>

But now, I am resolute, for, if Love is out there for me 

I am quite confident it will not just pop out of a tree

But, neither will it happen if I make it my life's search

For Love is not forced, it comes along - as just a perk <v>

Part of the evolution and unearthing of Life's mystery

Which so few do really find, then go on to make history

I raise my cup in Cheer to those who've made this dent

In this ever-evolving life they've chosen to have spent <v>

Their days and hours consumed by so much good intention

The natural daily chores of life've been second mention 

But those who have dedicated themselves to these tasks

Have accomplished far more just by doing than by being asked <v>

Just like the pewter Lamb - who tried so - in a prance

While the Lion just stands and holds firm, not by chance 

But by practice, experience ... and by relishing his stance

The Lion wins out, for Pride confers Praise - upon its lance.



- Tristram