Human Zoo Poem by Natarajan Ramaseshan

I am a zoo by myself
But, with a difference-
domestic and animals wild
reside side by side.

The buffalo in me
wallows with glee
In the cesspool of life-
stagnates and rots.

The fox vile
cheats with guile
all the while.

The hounds of desires
bound after
fleeing and fleeting
formal pleasures,
fame, fortune and
filthy lucre.

The brutal tiger
kills even the good,
if it is food.
The weak and the tame
are here for its
mere hunting game.

The cage of hatred
does not allow
the peace- loving dove
to spread out its
silken wings in the
serene sunny sky.

Yet,
From the withered shed
the tethered cow
still calls the calf
to come and drink the
milk of endless kindness.