Let the lions come

Let the lions come;
Let their barbs be sharpened
Their torture instruments charged with all the hate for freedom they contain

Let the lions come;
Let them despoil my name
Let them treat me as no worth, as they remove the wings from a butterfly

Let the lions come;
Let them hurt those I love
Let them take from me the life and breath that those around me give

Let the lions come;
Let them take away all hope
Let them strip me of my freedom and cage me in their darkened halls

Let the lions come;
Let them assure me of their victory
Let them slowly make me die in dread and in despair

Let the lions come;
Let them take this frail body
For they will never
Ever
Nor ever
Not
Ever
Take away the breath of life that is me
Nor decorate their empty hearts with my stained and bloodied mind

My thoughts run free
The wind is their partner
My words are but gossamer on the breeze
And my mind is mine alone.

Let the lions come;
I am ready