"One Wish", Poem From "Black Leather and Nothing Fancy", a Collection of Poems by L.E. Vega

Daniel in the Lion's Den, Painting by Sir Peter Paul Rubens

Flemish 1577-1640

c. 1614 / 1616
oil on canvas

One Wish, Poem reflecting Daniel in the Lion's Den by L.E. Vega

What do I want to be?

A Lion, wild and free.

The National Gallery of Art:

My God! Where do I start!

One painting hints a pen:

Daniel in the lion’s den.*

Daniel sits in a cave,

The lions his frame.

He embraces cracks of light

As his last hope for life.

Sympathy he invites.

My envy he incites.

Daniel mustn’t pray.

I reckon he’s Okay.

A lion is less impudent

Than a human student.

Why then fear

A lion near?

Only the King

Knows Freedom.

Daniel’s not a dish.

Border to my wish.

*Daniel in the Lion’s Den,  painting by Peter Paul Rubens, Flemish School (1577-1640)