The lion is not safe

K Fisher (2016), Program Cover design, Generation Edinburgh Dance Show [A5]

My Asiatic lion. My grumpy lion who turned his back and face to me for 3 hours. But then, his lioness started looking at me. His interest was piqued. I could see him begin to turn his shaggy maned face my way. At first, a little bit of a profile, then a huge yawn with his tongue lolling out, then a full turning of the head and direct eye to eye contact. Got you! I knew after 3 hours or more of lying down, he was going to have to get up and walk. I waited. Hoping, hoping, hoping. Just his face was not going to be enough. Up he gets, yes! And then I follow him with my camera, snapping every shot, not wanting to miss a movement. He's now in the shelter. I can just see his tail flaring about in the other room. Barely make out that he is rolling about on his back on the straw. Come on, stop hiding. Please come out. And then suddenly his big, perfectly made, furry face is staring straight out at me. Through the glass. I snap another shot. He immediately exits the shelter, he's roaring. So loud, such an incredibly deep roar, that when I dash out to the viewing platform, his roar is vibrating through the floor boards. I can see him through the cracks in the wooden boards under my feet. This lion is not safe. His power, the danger. I am safe only because of these boards, this fence, this glass. Majestic, glorious, beautiful, good even, but not safe. I get the message.