Day 12 - Lionheart

Pen Play: A poem-a-day writer's retreat in June

Very warm hello to all you lions out there :) Welcome to Day 12! 

This is a very special prompt for me today, for so many playful and sacred reasons. 

Lionheart. 

Bravery. Determination. Strength. But also, Charisma. Confidence. Character. Fierceness. 

Photo by Alexas_Fotos

There’s so much that goes into a Lionheart, both in the presence of aspects seen and unseen, and in the diversity of the ways this quality is embodied in an individual. I felt inspired to go hunt out a few songs for this prompt, and I was impressed by how many spins on the theme of “lion” (and a few for “lionheart”) currently exist. 

I mean, really. No two “Lions” sounded the same.

I contemplate this. What does it mean - for ourselves, for humanity, for our entire planet of beings, for our personal experience of bravery - that these themes can be alive in individuals so differently?

And then further: where, how, and why are you a Lionheart?

For me, these are huge questions. I couldn’t even begin to share all my thoughts, and I will definitely be sitting with this one a while to see what else it offers.

Meanwhile, I’m leaving you a playlist of some of the Lion songs I found so you can get a taste for yourself. Some are better, some are worse, but they show some interesting trends¹ (and I’ve also included a few relevant non-Lion’s simply to vibe with as you write). 

This QUEEN in particular got me jumping and howling, and actually inspired today’s poem. The video is as beautiful as the music; check it out :) 

I hope you have a fierce and playful day; feel free to roar as loudly as you please ;) Looking forward to hearing what comes up! 

Today’s prompt and poem are dedicated to my beloved queer community, and is also intended as part of my celebration of Pride Month. I see you, lions ;) <3

Lionheart

Noun: A person who is brave and determined

You just don’t see me,
All my sides that there are to see.
You just don’t know me,
All my wild that lives on full free.
You can only dream of
All the strength that I’m meant to be.
I’m a lion, baby,
Wait until you hear me roar,
I’m a lion, baby,
Wait until you watch me soar.

You may think you see me,
Think you see me crawl the floor,
But you don’t really know me,
Know that now I’m back for more.
Time to get your dream on
Because the lion’s here to break the score.
I’m a lion, baby,
Nothing left there to explain,
I’m a lion, baby,
Don’t you try to touch my mane.

Now you’re sure to see me,
That I am brave to use my voice.
Now you’re sure to know me,
That where I go is my own choice.
You’ve nothing left to dream now
‘Cause freedom’s ripe and we will rejoice.
I’m a lion, baby,
Hear me roar now, big and loud,
I’m a lion, baby,
Watch me soar now, out and proud.

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If you’re enjoying the experience so far, share the retreat with friends who may also want to play with their poetry and read beautiful works from our community.

Or, if you’re new, subscribe to Joy Journeys to get these prompts daily to your inbox:

1. Calling a prominent one out, we can see that, while some people engage with their lion/lionheart deliberately for its strength, others are afraid of it precisely for that unmistakable power. What do you think about these patterns?