there is a lion in my head by Lila De Sena (14, Western Australia)

there is a lion in my head and it is eating away at my memory
​
this predator prowling through the hallways of my mind

---

​all my best moments devoured
wrapped in the arms of my parents, my protectors
hair whipping in the wind, settling like a bird's nest atop my head
watching the afternoon sun caress towering trees
the lion engulfs all these precious memories
there is no meat left on the bone
leaving me with flashes of light and supposed sunny days
i can feel its heavy paws thumping at night
ready to pounce on a stray thought
the unfortunate ones end up falling forever into 
the lion's bottomless stomach

i shudder violently as it approaches 
what if i lose my whole identity?
not forgetful
just forgotten

​Lila De Sena is a 14 year old writer from Western Australia. She has won local competitions, including the Tim Winton Award for Young Writers. She aspires to study writing when she leaves school and to become a journalist. She loves to write sad stories that leave an impact.