Home    

Roar, Lioness, Roar

by Heide McAlister-Bates

Roar, Lioness, roar -

the savannah, your life,
stretches as far as the eye can see
and beyond corporeal sight.

The long grasses sway in the breeze,
the breath of your humanity;
each blade a moment in time, an occurrence -
a smile, a tear, an idea, a loss, a victory -
some already experienced,
many yet to come,
all real, all significant,
marking your
existence.

A bird swoops low, watching,
and cries out a message, again and again -
guidance from one who
can see further, without obstruction,
on a different plane – gliding above,
watching over you,
always there.

The water hole; an oasis to revive your spirit,
sustain you on your journey, drown your fears.
It will not run dry – the rains will come,
cleanse and replenish you.

Roar, Lioness, roar.

Each step forward you take
is growth.

Do as you are guided by Nature
to do.

Take what you need to
build your strength
and return that strength to the Earth
through your voice, your actions,
your energy.

Only those that equal you will
walk by your side; lesser beings will
tremble at your force and run away.
Those that are worthy will remain.

Roar, Lioness, roar.

08/10/2008

Author's Note: The first poem I've written in about a year. Feedback very much encouraged!

Posted on 08/10/2008
Copyright © 2024 Heide McAlister-Bates

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Jared Fladeland on 08/10/08 at 03:51 PM

"the breath of your humanity;" this line jumped out at me because i've been reading the gnostic gospels lately (the gospels that Christianity decided didn't "fit" into the bible because they were "wrong"), and this line connected me instantly to what the Gospel of Philip says, that whatever higher power there is in this universe comes to us in a breath... and the fact that you tied this to humanity, I dunno. it's a very powerful image for me right now. This whole poem reminds me so much of the imagery in that book. This poem is like a microcosm of the entire universe ticking and tocking all together. and I can picture you as that lioness. and it was wonderful to read a new work by you

Posted by Laurie Blum on 08/10/08 at 04:20 PM

I was pulled in by your strong title. Your poem made me feel great about being a strong woman. Each paragraph is powerful and I like the repeat of the title throughout. The only thing I think I would change (as always..just a suggestion from me) I would put the two short stanzas together( Each step forward you take is growth. Do as you are guided by Nature to do.) I think it just makes it read more cohesively. Wonderful piece!!

Posted by Brian Francis on 08/10/08 at 05:05 PM

It would seem that the draught for your muse has ended in a spectacular out pouring of beautiful images and ideas. This piece is wonderful and full of picturesque perfection. Well said. --bf

Posted by Scott Cadence on 08/10/08 at 08:56 PM

Very inspirational, and needed. Thank you!

Posted by George Hoerner on 08/11/08 at 12:53 AM

We'll done m'lady! As women have so much to roar about. They certainly have the right since many of them perform great work. Nice wtite.

Posted by Dave Fitzgerald on 08/11/08 at 11:12 PM

It's great to see you back Heide. The last stanza is perfect. :)

Posted by Joe Cramer on 08/13/08 at 08:12 PM

This is outstanding... it has a wonderful and evokes exquisite imagery...

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 08/14/08 at 12:10 PM

You paint a vivid and compelling picture here Heide, bringing out the wild feline in this reader as I'm sure others.

Posted by Jo Halliday on 07/18/09 at 03:02 AM

None of the stanzas here worked for me though, unlike a previous commenter! The imagery here is terrible, to say the least, water holes, bird swooping low, everything not gelling in at all; and in addition, the preachy tone of the poem is a little too much to bear.

Posted by Maria Massarella on 09/23/09 at 12:24 AM

Such is the orchestration of your words that the reader harmonizes with rhythms, vibrations and energy, while sipping the imagery...senses alert poised on the roar of the splendid lioness. Congratulations on POTD! lovelight&peace...m.a

Posted by Ann Mills on 09/23/09 at 12:26 PM

A soulful insight to the lion's life, all life, and the strength and vision within.

Return to the Previous Page
 

pathetic.org Version 7.3.2 May 2004 Terms and Conditions of Use 0 member(s) and 2 visitor(s) online
All works Copyright © 2024 their respective authors. Page Generated In 0 Second(s)