A Lion's Day Out Poem by santhana louis

Once there was a strong rumour that a Lion
named Sheelu had escaped from the city zoo,
and was hiding in the hutments,
adjoining, the barbed fencing periphery

news of escape spread like 1000-wala cracker
streets went deserted, schools, shops and hotels closed down
sharp shooters arrived - veterinarians ready -
Ambulances around the corner, 24 hrs surveillance

Several plans were discussed - drums repeatedly sounded
the frightened lion did not show up, from its hiding

at sunset, the anxiety ran high, with darkness setting in
no one dared to open their closed doors, not even a stolen peep
flood lights were arranged - trap box with goat, installed
the experts were waiting for the animal to walk through

hours of wait went futile - gradually losing the patience,
the Dean of zoo advised his crew to recheck
whether Sheelu was actually missing, ordering another head-count
as the missing lion, had skipped three continuous zoo meal

Sheelu, was a prime artist, previously with Great Eastern Circus
well-known for its somersaults and pole-vault jumping, & dancing
had good interface with people and addicted to crowds' chanting
brought to zoo, upon stringent legislation on animal welfare
but, our Sheelu never liked the ‘living within fences enclosed'
earlier, Sheelu, was mobile on wheels, and very widely travelled

The old time ring-master was called upon for assistance
to negotiate with Sheelu to locate its hide-out
the special vocal signals he sent, were responded promptly
from inside the zoo, indicating Sheelu, never went missing.


Louis Santhana