Her heart chose

animals and they became

her heart’s design.

Leopard-printed.

Zebra-striped.

Feathered.

Winged.

Flying.

Racing with adventure:

a cheetah. Purring in rhythm

with the cat on her lap.

Surrounded in a golden mane:

lion-hearted. Wagging its tail

in time with the dog

who greets her:

their heart-tails know one another.

Bam Bam sits unperturbed

on a bench beside Betty,

calmed by a heart

that sees beyond “bear.”

Her heart beats

faster

as the animal kingdom

crowns her

their Queen.