The Benefit of Hindsight

 
Recently I encountered some difficulties
when attempting to sculpt a lion in full flight  
my focus becoming firmly fixed  
on a lasting impression of the noble beast's tail
seen disappearing at speed
from beneath my canvas hide  
    
I am now confounded  
that in whatever fashion  
my work has sought to recapture and preserve
one faithful likeness of the moment
the rigid nature of his appendage
bears always (in my own mind at least)  
a striking resemblance  
to a tufted mop  
inserted and wedged    
resolutely into the fleeing animal's backside,  
the protruding angle    
seemingly both remarkable  
and without doubt unspeakably painful
for the creature I am obliged to regard eternally  
in a somewhat pitiful light    
    
I had hoped to convey  
true regal expression
reflected in a countenance
befitting of nobility
but he invariably adopts  
a somewhat hapless guise
ranging in turn from abject surprise  
to one of unexplained fury
and more frequently  
a degree of consternation  
normally never associated
with predators of any known description
    
I am certain,
had I added a simple crown
to the lion's head  
it would have slipped quickly  
adopting a rakish position,
while his hindquarters  
might have commenced  
a rhythmical mopping  
of the jungle floor  
    
With the benefit of hindsight
I do admit
the spectacle of Leo
bounding off into the distance,   
equipped thus  
must surely cause
even the most timid grazing zebra  
to collapse   
into fits of uncontrollable mirth