A last breathe that was not heard

on the other side of the world,

the Brazilian lion roared

in jungles,

carefree and to the full,

but I never heard the final bellow

of the beast, the growl of goodness

that would have rumbled underneath,

for on the other side of the world,

past oceans deep and proud

as your soul, as monumental

as your spirit which lifted

and touched through thick waves

and understanding…

I grow silent, I hear the news of the Lion’s

passing and like everything with pride,

I falter and take off my hat

and understand

that the world has lost a ray of light

in June’s summer mourning.

Dedicated to the memory of Leonardo Gruppenleiter.

Ian D. Hall 2016