LISHA:
As springs of crystal water shine
So are my lover’s hazel eyes
Enthroned in flowing tresses soft;
The splendid musky russet mane
of my lion.
“Behold your prey, oh hunter great
Awaiting eager for the spring
That brings the hunter to my throat
So caught and helpless I’ll collapse
in your embrace!”
“Defend your prey, oh hunter great
From jackals gathered round the plain
That envy you the hard-won prize.
But let them not by subtle moves
obtain one scrap!”
KIGALI:
As Bor the monkey pounds his fruit
Upon the tree to free its juice
And savor its elixir sweet
So pounds against my anxious chest
my trembling heart.
The restless tide that vents my breath
Comes in swift waves that makes me feel
Euphoric and excitable.
I come to breathe upon her cheek
and yet she runs!
My temptress turns in coy retreat
A gold flamingo arched in flight,
Her merry laugh betrays her game
She would prolong the episode
but not escape me!
LISHA:
Far from the crowd whose prying eyes
would violate our solitude
we shall make love among the reeds
Here unobserved by jealous hearts
we shall caress.
So musky is the russet mane
Entwined about his trembling form
And stirring like a thundercloud.
Full bright as stars his hazel eyes
regard me.
So playfully, he swings his tail
and bobs his head inviting me
to wrestle with my lover now.
And laughing softly, I accept
his invitation.
KIGALI:
So warm and soft around my throat
My lover’s arms are seeking ways
to bear me to the verdant grass.
And cautiously I test the strength
of her embraces.
My lover’s arms bring endless night
To bontebok and gerenuk
But bend like reeds before my strength.
And quickly I in triumph rise
above her form.
Still panting from the revelry
I gaze into my lover’s eyes
I tremble like a willow leaf
And feel the tides of my desire
sweep over me.
LISHA:
I call my lover tenderly
And crouched submissive in the grass
To plead for favors from my mate
I sweep away remaining doubts
of my intentions.
As prey defeated in the hunt
Perceives the hunter’s victory
I felt his hold upon my throat!
I knew at last the full extent
of his passion.
As waves of heat at midsun rise
And set the trees to shimmering
I melted in the heat of love
And cried out in my ecstasy
his name.
KIGALI:
Now who is like unto my mate?
A source of every benefit
That gods enjoy in heaven’s bliss!
And falling to the earth fulfilled,
I lay exhausted.
Unto my side I called my love
With stealthy tread she joined my rest
And lithely lay her body nigh
Her lovely face upon my mane,
while I stroked her.
A gentle breeze caresses us
And stirs the jade acacia leaves
That cool the ardor of the sun
Content beside her golden form
I will rest.
Ahadi finished with a smile on his face. He reached over and nuzzled Akase’s lovely body. “My gentle lover.”
“My tender Nisei,” she purred, eyes half closed as he rubbed her full length.
“Oh wow,” Mufasa said, a little trembly in the limbs. “Where did you learn that??”
“It’s a part of your heritage,” Akase said. “It’s been passed from parents to their cubs for uncounted years. I like to think it’s our way of getting you off to a good start.”
“Oh wow,” Mufasa said, still stunned. “That was so neat!”
“I’m glad you liked it.” Ahadi and Akase both nuzzled him and kissed him.
“Oh wow,” Mufasa whispered again. “Is that how you two feel about each other?”
Akase nuzzled her husband. “Honey tree, we used to act out the parts. Of course, as time went on we realized that no two loves are quite the same. Your father and I settled into our own comfortable routine. That’s the way it is with married life. You find in that special someone the missing part of you that makes you whole. So being married is just another step in becoming yourself.”
“Oh wow!” Mufasa said.
“Is that all you can say?” Ahadi asked. “Oh wow?”
Mufasa nuzzled him. “Thanks, Dad. I love you. I love you too, Mom.”
Sarabi looked in the cave. “Good morning, Ahadi! Good morning Akase!”
“Good morning, Sassie!”
Mufasa stared at her. Under the spell of the words, that echoed through his heart, he fondled her with his eyes and thought:
“Still panting from the revelry
I gaze into my lover’s eyes.
I tremble like a willow leaf
And feel the tides of my desire
Sweep over me.”
“Oh, hi Muffy! I didn’t see you there!”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Are you OK?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Uh, yeah?” She glanced at Ahadi with a smile of amusement. “Our next king?”
Mufasa headed out of the cave, and passing by Sarabi, he rubbed her full length and shuddered.
She smiled broadly and said, “Well, good morning to YOU TOO!”
Heart pounding, Mufasa hurried down the path from the promontory, rounded the bulk of Pride Rock and found the cold waters of the cistern. Stopping briefly to look at his reflection, he could hear the words more clearly:
