we assign human-like qualities
to the menagerie in cages
gaze with sympathy at the bear
who nuzzles her face to the wall
when visitors come around
tell the monkey how unreasonable
to chase away the paying public
by throwing such a mess
question how it is we failed to trick
the cheetahs into mating in captivity
and wonder what our humanity has done for us
when the tiger finally kills the keeper
I am minded to compare your observations about captive animals to that of those humans, stupid enough to go on expensive safari holidays. They spend their time caged into an observation truck amongst the fierce animals, who rather give them the same ambivalent glances that caged animals receive from visitors. The original human zoo I think!
Good piece judging by all the comments too. Well done.
Sadly the curiosity we feel for other species often leads to forms of entertainment based our own limited views of what we know about ourselves. A no brainer all round . We are far better off just domesticating animals, or of course eating them. The instinct of humans is to fear or control after all. I am not trying to denigrate those who devote their lives sincerely to understanding of course.
A very fine piece of work Rachel.
Ray
<Deleted User> (21818)
Sat 13th Apr 2019 16:17
Sadly, by the time people realize and accept the intellect and emotional depth of all those in the animal kingdom it will be TOO late! A thought provoking piece...well done!
elPintor
Fri 12th Apr 2019 08:47
Dorothy, I recall hearing a radio show host describe a listener's dismay at her domestic feline's behavior, saying that whenever she let her cat out of its cage, he would go wild--I have to ask, who is really more intelligent?
Thanks,
Rachel
<Deleted User> (21487)
Fri 12th Apr 2019 08:13
The more I see of animals the more I respect them.
The brainless chicken - is not brainless
the silly sheep - is not silly
Dogs like being dogs - being dressed up and pampered is humillating to them.
we jump to conclussions without watching and learning.
elPintor
Fri 12th Apr 2019 07:41
...a trait that I would never assign to an animal, Brian. I feel we should even be careful when generalizing human behavior in such ways.
Thanks for looking in,
Rachel
<Deleted User> (18980)
Fri 12th Apr 2019 07:33
Biting the hand that feeds us...a human trait also
elPintor
Fri 12th Apr 2019 07:21
A sort of PS, Stu...
Personally, I can't say that I've hated every moment of my bouts of insomnia--some have generated a sense of inner tension that has been, in some way, transformative.
Maybe I should say, whatever you're going through, may it be well with you.
Rachel
elPintor
Fri 12th Apr 2019 07:07
That makes perfect sense, Stu. I've had moments when I actually felt like a much worse person for all the suffering I've witnessed second-hand--it must be an awful struggle for those in its midsts. Insomnia sucks--I hope you sleep well soon )
Thanks for reading, Jon--glad you liked it.
Rachel
This is great, Rachel. So true.
love this rachel. black fish broke me the first time i watched it. animals in general are a hard one for me. there is so much suffering in the world i just cant focus on one thing any more. i block it all out. if you appreciated all the suffering we caused you would never have a single second to become a better person. does that make sense? its 6am and i havent slept so maybe it doesnt.
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elPintor
Fri 19th Apr 2019 19:55
Thanks Jane, Ray, David, and Graham (that's like a phonics lesson, those names all arranged in such a way). Your comments are much appreciated. There's quite a bit to address within them, I'm only sorry that I've been so busy that I haven't been able to come up with an intelligible response.
We're all animals, fer sher, it simply seems that we humans are the only animals capable of thinking ourselves into oblivion--why oh why were we cursed with these damned thumbs?
Rachel