An old lion lies near death. The biological meaning of his life is considered.

Now the old lion’s day is done.
Vanquished by his oldest son,
the oldster warms under the African sun.

The old lion has been displaced
but certainly never disgraced.
Many challenges he’d successfully faced.

The oldster remembers with pride
his four years as master of the pride,
but from old age and old wounds he can’t hide.

Food now scarce, he faces his fate without fear.
His life has run its course; his death draws near.
Cubs he sired made his biological footprint clear.

As each future cub in his line comes along
carrying the old lion’s DNA, they’ll all belong
as biological proof his life’s meaning was strong.