Lionwings
         The Greeks believed there once existed
         A monster of dream and fantasy.
         A wondrous composite creature,
         An imaginary landscape feature,
         Lion and eagle was he.

         Head of an eagle,
         That mighty bird of prey.
         Hooked beak and far-seeing eyes,
         A piercing scream that split the skies,
         He could kill a unicorn any day.

         Strong feathered wings,
         They belonged to him too.
         Whether folded and in rest,
         Or lifting him into the sky he knew best,
         They were an impressive addition, too.

         His forelegs were a lion's,
         Powerful king of beasts.
         Tipped with dagger-sharp claws,
         Ending in crushing paws,
         These weren't puny, not in the least!

         His body was leonine,
         Rippling with muscles, and tawny.
         It gave him great strength anywhere,
         On the ground or in the air,
         A pillar of power was he.

         His forelegs were matched
         By another pair.
         Filled with crushing, killing power,
         Yet delicate enough to pick a flower,
         They helped him spring into the air.

         Swinging behind was the tail
         Of a lion, yes.
         He was a creature of myth,
         But not a foe to tangle with,
         King of beasts and birds, no less!

         These creatures guarded a golden treasure,
         They would attack a horse.
         What was the name of the lionwings?
         Something that had a pretty ring.
         It was griffin, of course.