The Gray Lion

Behind the joy of family, in his eyes
hides horrors of things unknown.
Tales of bullets, shrapnel...
images never shown.

Symbolized in the ink of his tattoo
are the days when the lion still fought.
Proud veteran of nightmarish reality.
Age: his paw is caught.

The fighter speaks in a shattered growl,
naught but a remnant of his former roar.
Tentative...
Slow...
the feeble lion prowls.
Cautious due to muscles blown and torn.
Stubborn: he stands tall.

Proud one...
The soldier...
who served his country.
The fighter...
battling life itself.
The gray lion...
frail shell, strong heart.
Ferocious soul.