Playtime! Poem by Denis Martindale

Two lion cubs enjoyed playtime!
They chose that time to chew.
A nibbled ear was thought sublime,
And sometimes even two.
It was their thing, their joint event,
Their pastime now and then,
Which parents chose not to prevent
Once playtime came again.

The cubs left Mum and Dad alone,
They were too big to chew,
Why pick on lions fully grown?
That's not the thing to do!
The cubs fought long, and they fought hard
With something their own size,
So both of them must stay on guard
Or get caught by surprise!

They dared each other every day,
But still they took a chance,
Until the time they caused dismay
And Dad warned with a glance!
'Oh, oh! ' they thought! And things calmed down!
Dad didn't look so tense,
And minutes later, lost each frown!
Yes, that's when playtime ends!


Denis Martindale.30th of December 2025.


The poem is about the magnificent wildlife
painting by UK artist Stephen Gayford.