Leo

the king of beasts,
full of pride,
the lion of nemea
possessed an impenetrable hide.

the source of legend,
all male villagers tried—
but none could kill the lion
and remove the hide.

as punishment to one,
their king had lied—
claiming that the lion had killed—
and called for that hide.

he sent his cousin,
and our hero vied
to slay the lion and
retrieve his hide.

the hero struggled
and he tried
until, finally successful,
he removed that hide.

and now the lion
goes on a nightly ride
through the brilliant stars
in remembrance of him and his hide.