The Sun Bear

The Sun Bear

In Pnom Penh, under the monsoon sky
a Sun Bear cowers in a foetid cage
rank with faeces and the stench of fear.

Crazed with pain, eyes misted with terror,
he waves his futile pawless stumps at flies
come in legions to batten on his wounds.

He has fouled and cannot clean his matted fur,
and when men come into the cluttered yard
he whines in fear that they have steel and fire

To deal him agony - as soon they will,
for his remaining paw will make,
tender with the adrenalins of his pain,

A delicate soup for a wealthy man.