My Friend

An Enemy of the People

Animal in a cage, in a zoo, in a penal colony, on an island

Ten thousand miles from home

The people gawk, stare, point, cat-call, mock

The animal mind's his own business, bidding his time

Safe behind the barrier, the spectators can leer and laugh

The animal looks with understanding eyes

Reflecting a sadness that falls upon empty glass

The sentient being looks with wisdom and feels its pain

The little electric heater at my feet

My only source of comfort in a sullen, cold world

As I sit hungry and unhappy waiting for the next interruption

Patiently waiting for what is bound to slowly come.

How can one be so lonely in a world so over-crowded

So many people too close by and yet so distant from our experience

Unseen barriers--transparent walls separating us from our world

Like an invisible bubble

This heater is a true friend of both man and beast

And a sentient enemy of the people

He sits here silently, obediently keeping me company

He asks no questions and expects nothing back