RETRIBUTION

A satire

Your goldfish pecks at the wall

of the glass bowl.

Could you tell how she feels?

She circles the water

round and round;

in search of something

that can’t be found…

You think she’s hungry

And you give her feed.

She swims away

paying no heed.

Could you tell how she feels?

A birdcage adorns

your favourite corner.

The bird is your possession

And you are the owner.

Could you tell how it feels?

It flutters its wings

And hops down twice.

You think it is hungry;

You feed it with rice.

It turns its back

And watches the sun.

Could you tell how it feels

even though it stays mum?

He licks the chicken bone

sitting all alone.

You’ve tamed him well

And he asks for no more.

Could you tell how he feels?

He kicks and plays and safeguards your home.

The German Shepherd that he is —

A faithful servant to a skilful master.

You keep him chained

And he can’t roam.

Could you tell how he feels?

You’re standing at the window

watching them fly.

The birds are in plenty

And clearer is the sky.

Your food is on the table…

Oh so helpless you!

Food isn’t what you want.

Doesn’t nature have a clue?!

You wait and wait

asking yourself —

“When shall this lockdown melt?”

“Oh dear!,” Mother nature snaps back —

“Can you now tell how they felt?”

NV©