A movie series. Erroll Flynn
Stars as a private eye. But in
the first film enemies and friends
always call him Lion.

For so he is--though sparingly--
His resting state's humanity--
Only goes feline if and when
Work needs teeth and claws.

But by the second film, he's all
lion (though his fellow stars
act as if still human). Wears
a head with great sad eyes

of leonine solemnity
--huge moon-spectacles--oh
utterly unmistakably
the Cowardly Lion of Oz.

Not the film beast, old Bert Lahr's
extroverted clown--the shy,
practical original
conceived by L. Frank Baum.

Wake and read the news at dawn:
furry sit-ins in the state
capital--"Don't let men shoot
endangered mountain lions."

Sacramento is aflood
in lion suits! Defiant pride
eared and tailed and furred...
Seems my dream-ears heard.