So many of us are cowards,

So many of us are cowards,

Queuing

To look at Tigers behind bars

Happy to maintain the separation

Reeling from the stare

The murderous intent,

The silent plea for freedom

The latent power stirring

Beneath apparent helplessness

The coiled spring

Waiting for release.

Oh, how we rejoice when we leave

In one piece

The frenzy of feeding, a step too far.

Did you see what I saw

When the lock was sprung

The hunter cornering its prey

Pacing out the distance

Working out the angles

Waiting for its moment.

There will be a spring in its step

When the time comes

A leap of faith.

The waddle of a Penguin

Is much more fun

Anthropomorphic animators

Put it to music

Using their innate behaviour

To tell a human story

With a Grimm history.

Do you ever worry

About which one of us is in the cage

And what you would do

If it were you?

Eat the banana

Or bite the hand.