until his paws teemed with the stolen light of the stars.
The flickering shadows of
the water's light slipped
through the lion's paw with
the silent language of
ghosts, gathering in circles,
then darkening once more.
With a howl, the lion slashed
the fading light until his
paws teemed with the stolen
light of the stars. Then,
lifting the small boy onto his
back, the lion leapt into the
disappearing darkness.