A pair of little shoes tilt forward
careening on the tips of exposed, painted toes
over expanses of thick chains and fences.

A lip is bitten, eyes wide in amazement
the humongous animal is pacing behind its cage
tail swishing as paws trample the worn grass

The other children are long gone now,
passing ahead to bigger and newer pursuits
leaving one behind, in awe and complete rapture.

Amber eyes glow in the afternoon sun
velvet nose nuzzling the pudgy fingers
connecting child and beast so intimately.

Both breathing, both so very alive
And, with nothing to fear, she leaps
lovingly into the lion's den, leaving her human world far behind.