Bell Sand Lion Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

Beyond the red sands of the desert
where hawks and condors care not soar
there is a long forgotten palace
its crumbling ruins a sad eyesore
none can recall what was before

Young lions slink in evening shadows
and offer here and there a roar
beneath the rust of weighty metal
a bell no one would now restore
no purpose and no daily chores

Now scorpions and hardy creatures
appear and rest on what had been
a symbol of respect and honor
sweet sounding knells once much esteemed
engulfed in sandy evening dreams.