We are not all white stars
that fell from the sky.
Some of us are amber and lignite,
we never sparkle or ignite.
We are beige and tawny yellow,
ochre, black and brown.
We are the colours of desert,
sun-burnt grass and earth.
I am a lion proud and wild,
Mother Nature’s regal child.
Kim M. Russell, 8th February 2021
My response to earthweal weekly challenge: White Lions
Sherry’s prompt this week is about my favourite animals: cats, but she wants us to focus on the big ones.
Sherry tells us about The Mystery of the White Lions, by Linda Tucker, who lives in South Africa, which documents her journey into the mysteries of the legendary White Lions of Africa.
Our challenge is to write about the big cats, or in the voice of a big cat, a lion, a tiger, a leopard. We might also explore the legend written about the white lions. go back in time to the first Star lions, who evolved from those blue-eyed beings who came to earth from the sky, or even address the transformation of consciousness so needed on planet earth.
Free image found on dreamstime.com
writing in north norfolk 
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This is gorgeous Kim, we are all lion’s at heart — funnily enough in astrology Leo (the Lion) rules the heart. Hear of a Lion… Lionheart. It’s about mental attitude as much as the creature. Lovely.
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Thank you, Francis. I’m Leo Cancer rising.
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Lions of many colours, just like people. Love this, Kim
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Thank you, Kim!
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Oh, OH. I love this poem.
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Thank you so much, Robin!
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Brilliant, like a star; and (like a lion) roaringly good. Nice work, KR.
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Thanks Ron, I love that!
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What a gorgeous lion he is, too, in your photo. Wow. I love “We are not all white stars”…………that we are not………we are hearts beating under skin tones of many colours, who are trying to remember that once we were all as wild and free and powerful as lions. I LOVE your poem!
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Thank you, Sherry!
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Yes — the whiteness of the lion is mythical; here on Earth, we nurture and nature what we are. “We are the colours of desert, / sun-burnt grass and earth.” You don’t mind if I steal “lignite” and “ignite” for future use? Dem’s a good pair! – Brendan
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Thank you, Brendan, and you can have ‘lignite’ and ‘ignite’ as a gift. 🙂
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All lions are special, I agree. And all are in danger. Any that are lost is cause for sorrow. (K)
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That is so true, Kerfe.
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I love how you explored the palette of leonine colours here, Kim: all lions are of course important, and their habit under threat.
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Thanks Ingrid.
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There are white lions at the Canberra zoo – not albinos, but very pale.
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I agree we are all unique and you showed us in such a colorful way
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Thanks Patti!
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This is lovely, Kim
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Thank you, Suzanne.
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A reminder that all creatures are unique. I like the earthiness of the colors.
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Thank you, Trudessa.
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