A Moral Dilemma

By luigi_pagano

Sun, 12 Jun 2016
  • 1184 reads
8 comments
 

I think of the circus and see big cats
roaring and snarling and full of rage
at the lion tamer cracking the whip
within the confines of an iron cage.

Then I am reminded of a lion cub
raised at home and kept as a  pet,
who grew too big to remain in a flat.
He was affectionate and not a threat.

Purchased in London from a big store
was lovingly cared as if he was a child.
But the owners agreed to let him go
to be reintroduced to the African wild.

Now the big tops have ceased to use
any animals in their exotic productions.
As only humans are allowed to entertain
this has stopped some people’s ructions.

It was an ethical and a moral dilemma
to deprive these beasts of their liberty.
No longer caged performers or captives,
they've at last regained some dignity.

© Luigi Pagano 2016

Certificate U
Poem
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

What an intriguing photoraph and story.  I wonder if the lion survived in the wild? 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

It is indeed a striking photograph, H. Unfortunately I have lost the link.
I thought it well illustrates the story of the lion raised at home. Not only did he survived but, years later, he recognised his original owners. He was re-integrated into the wild by George and Joy Adamson of 'Elsa the lioness' fame.

Many thanks for reading this little effort of mine.
Luigi x

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

Glad it ended well, Luigi. As a child, one of my first impressions of the Central Park zoo was seeing aging lion who barely able to walk and looking like the saddest thing in this earth.. Always makes me a bit sad when I think about it. 

Cheers, 

Rich

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Luckily Rich. it ended happily. It is always distressing to see the suffering of caged animals.

Best, Luigi

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Luigi,

I remember as a child watching the circus on tv, it never occured to me at the time that it was cruel, but then I was so very young. 

I love to see the lions free and able to live at peace to wander, I'm glad the lion in question had a happy ending. You put this over well in your poem, which I enjoyed reading.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

It was the same for me, Jenny. Children at the time took it for granted that it was normal for lions and tigers to be exhibited in such a way. Behaviour and culture have radically changed since then.
Mind you, even though wild animals now live in reservation some are in danger of extinction as they are hunted for their tusks, skins etc.

Thanks for reading. Luigi xx

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Enjoyed reading this, Luigi. When the children were small I remember the thrill for them in wandering around rather a small zoo, and seeing so much in a short space of time, and realised when pressure was put on zoos to give more space, more walking was needed, but obviously better for the animals! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I too took my daughters  to the zoo when they were little, Rhiannon. They enjoyed very much seeing all those exotic animals at the zoo but were somewhat overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the circus.
They are now convinced conservationists and would agree that the natural habitat for those creatures is in the wild, notwithstanding the danger that they face from humans who will hunt them for their tusks, horns and other features.

Luigi x