A baby lion wakes up

From the dark, moist natal slumber.

The bright light of life envelops his very being.

Life: unwanted, unneeded, undeserved.

Why? WHY? He roars at the prospect.

His mother sees: with a gentle, loving nudge, all doubt is dissolved.

Love: unwanted, unneeded, undeserved.

He gazes at his father hunting a herd of antelope:

He hears their screams.

Pain: unwanted, unneeded, undeserved.

With a stroke of sympathy, he runs to protect the herd.

His feeble legs struggle, and his father sees.

With a stroke of anger, the cub is tossed aside.

Life. Love. Pain. Death.

“Cyclical,” the cub realizes.

“Unnatural.”

The truths reveal themselves before his very eyes.

He runs to his father again.

Pain.

Again.

Pain.

Achievement? None.

Or many.

He asked for none of this,

Deserved none of this,

Yet it happens.

And he relishes it.

Knowledge is transcended.

Pain, relinquished.

Blackness overtakes.

The cycle repeats.