The Circus Animal
By Christina Sharik
An Animal Rights Poem from All-Creatures.org

All of God's creatures have rights, a fact that most people don't seem to recognize. This includes both human and non-human animals, but not all of them can speak for themselves.

The Circus Animal
By Christina Sharik

I am the circus elephant
I'm all dressed up for you -
but when alone, I always wear
these chains, just out of view.
~~
I am the circus tiger -
A rare sight to behold;
when whips are snapping near my face
it's hard to stay controlled.
~~
I am the elegant circus horse
I prance and trot around ~
I am a noble creature
I'm not a circus clown.~
~~
The saddest choice you humans make
it to keep me chained and bound ~
you make me dance, you make me prance
a circus ring around.
~~
When I am tired or sad or sick,
you strike and prod with club or stick ~
I want to run, to play, to roam,
I miss my far, beloved home.
~~
I have no voice you understand,
I cannot make you see
that you should listen with your heart
and simply set me free.
~~
I hear there are some circuses
where only you perform.
I hope that someday soon, perhaps,
they will become the norm.

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