the darkness which had bound it so had made its brutal lair;
now turns upon its master quick though naught without a hope,
which promises a freedom from the whip, the chain, the rope.
With strength impassioned now finds its way through tangled nets of fear
pursued by all that once had made its sad existence drear;
with battle great the Lion roars and clears the path to take
for conquered He that cruel beast that tempted as a snake.
Forgetting all that’s cast aside the soul now makes its way
to springs of life and hope and joy that foil th’abandoned gray,
as though to lift the eyes that once had clouded there with tears
and replace with peace all that once had hurt with evil fears.
- J. P. Antonios