Back and Forth - Dec 10 2023

 

Back and Forth

Dec 10 2023

I was surprised by the yellow-tinged fur.

Aren't these noble creatures white?

And the glazed look in its eyes

as it paced back and forth

in its ersatz enclosure.

A crowd watched.

Small children squealed,

tired parents sagged,

and the few teenaged boys

intent on cool

looked suitably bored.

The polar bear was born here.

Never knew

the ascetic beauty

and stunning vastness

of the far north.

Never swam in the sea

hunted for food

won a mate.

It was a warm spring day.

The coat had thinned

and I could see the black skin underneath.

I felt unworthy

gawking at this captive animal

there only for our pleasure.

Who continued to walk

back and forth

along the same well-worn path,

like a catatonic inmate

confined to the asylum.

Continued to hold

its thousand-mile stare,

the way you can look

and still not see.

Continued to think

polar bear thoughts

and feel who-knows-what;

the mind

of a sentient creature

I can only guess at.

Lots of articles in the weekend Globe about animal welfare.

This was particularly inspired by one about “conservation-washing” in the zoo industry and the moral case against captive animals.

I'm really pleased how this first draft turned out. Again, the conversational style that works best for me.