Lonely Lion Is Better Poem by Tony Cemaluk

A lonely lion is better than a popular shy sheep,
One roars alone, the other bleats in a heap of fear.

The lion walks hungry, his head held high,
The sheep moves in crowds, yet afraid to die alone.

Popularity in the pen is just numbers at play,
But one bark of a dog, and they scatter away.
The lion has no crowd to applaud his name,
Yet the forest knows his is the flame.

The shy sheep smiles at every hand that waves,
But trembles when the wolf takes a stand.
Better to walk lonely upon the rock,
Than follow a crowd that has no lock.

One lion's path is rough, but true,
The sheep's road is smooth, but never you.
So let me walk lonely, let me roar and be free,
Than be a popular sheep who fears the floor beneath me.

Better a lone roar than a borrowed bleat of many,
Better sore feet than dancing deceit.