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Open Poetry #39
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Dublin Boy
Member
since 2006-08-26
Posts 102
UK

0 posted 2006-09-10 01:52 PM


You sit, a hairy and helpless god
taken from your jungle heaven,
behind reinforced glass
in a Copenhagen zoo.
Your small button-black eyes
dull and dejected,
as you look at the hairless monkeys
looking at you, their mouths moving,
but no sound entering
your limited domain.
I can see it in your eyes,
another wet weekend and nothing
on television. Day follows night follows day,
minutes lengthen into hours, meaningless and grey.
Great silverback, once mighty
in your forest home, you are now reduced
to the status of a side-show freak:
a fallen giant, pathetic in defeat,
whom we, your captors, pay to view,
while caring nothing for the soul in you.



© Copyright 2006 Bill Fitzsimons - All Rights Reserved
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
1 posted 2006-09-12 12:47 PM


This belongs up on top....amazing write, and very true.  Felt like I was observing him, too.
Dublin Boy
Member
since 2006-08-26
Posts 102
UK
2 posted 2006-09-12 02:08 AM


Thank you for responding to this one, Iliana--much appreciated.
Cheers
Bill

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

3 posted 2006-09-12 09:34 AM


this is going back to the top, for it deserves the intensity it portrays...and you, my friend, think along the same lines as I do...and we to, color outside the lines...but when it comes to animals....they should not be caged...

loved the (hairless monkeys) play on words...

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
4 posted 2006-09-12 11:47 PM



this one grabbed me Bill...
speaks loudly

aziza
Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!
5 posted 2006-09-13 01:32 AM


I hate zoos.
I hate animal movies.
I hate stupid pet tricks.
I hate animals dressed like people
And I loved this poem.

aziza

Goldenrose
Member Elite
since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665

6 posted 2006-09-13 04:51 AM


A well observed poem, almost Heaney like, but the sentiments behind the poem ring out loud and clear, another exploitation of animals by zoos, well done..and thank you for the words..

Goldenrose.

Dublin Boy
Member
since 2006-08-26
Posts 102
UK
7 posted 2006-09-13 12:01 PM


Thank you all very much for your positive comments--I'm glad this poem works. I based it on a visit to Copenhagen Zoo in 1986 and I have never seen anything so profoundly sad as this great animal confined in his glass cage.

Regards,
Bill

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