Kyōdo the lion walked alone, always so lonely.
He was strong, too strong, burning too brightly,
At first some lions would linger nearby,
As though they were friends, always a lie.
The pride would play a short while,
Then say, Oh but we were beguiled!
The pride wouldn't see the source of flame.
They thought it was too intense, he was to blame.
Left so many times, confused and broke,
Kyōdo began crying, like rain he would soak.
Hyenas in disguise, that's what they were,
Preying on strength, the fire in his purr.
Feeding on his kills, borrowing his might,
abusing his strength, for they were slight.
Once they had tamed him, laughing they'd run,
Oh but bandits, they crushed hearts for fun.
Then one day he woke, a whisper at his side,
Lo, your soul burns with so much inside,
Look deep within, see your soul dancing?
You burn so intensely, the heat isn't glancing.
Fire turned blue, stop, feel the heat,
If you can do this, you won't see defeat!
Learn to feel and dance in your fire,
Hyenas fears will then be set afire.
Soon after that day, a new pride came along,
Burning more brightly, Kyōdo'd become strong.
And learning to temper the heat exposed,
With the new pride, he began his repose.
