Commentary and Philosophy Poetry posted September 12, 2008 Chapters:  ...5 6 -7- 8... 


Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level
From the eyes of a child

A chapter in the book Precious Gems: An Anthology

Thirty Iron Bars

by Gypsymooncat


At least captive animals are now kept in much better conditions



They caught him on safari, so the plaque said on his cage.
His capture gave the Zoo a name, despite his roars of rage.
My family went to see him; I was only nine or ten.
The image of him pacing has remained with me since then.

I counted thirty iron bars around his small enclosure.
Awestruck by his majesty, I cared not for composure.
To me this regal creature with a heart untamed and wild, 
 would live his life on show to every adult, every child.

I cried out to my father, "Dad, this tiger should be free!"
He turned and smiled into my eyes and gently said to me,
"Son, there is a reason why the Zoo has brought him here; 
 his species may become extinct if they don't interfere."

His words made sense, but still I found it hard to understand:
How could this tiger live, content, imprisoned by man's hand?
The sight of him, as said above, stayed with me all this time.
For life behind those thirty bars, I never knew his crime. 




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