Guy

Guy the Gorilla was famous, He lived at London Zoo, Yet perhaps that fact should shame us, To put his life on view... To lock him up, to make him stay, To let the public stare, But that, I guess, is just Man's way, For convicts in his care... Guy the Gorilla stayed enclosed, To walk from left to right, While humans looked on, quite engrossed, At such a wondrous sight... Yet who of these would take his place? Exchange their lives for his? They merely stared at Guy's old face And not much more than this... Yet in those eyes there seemed a soul, That looked right back as well, Beyond the playing of a role, No words his mouth could tell... I'm glad I never joined that crowd Of strangers passing by... Because I'd never have allowed What humans did to Guy... Denis Martindale January 2017. A poem based on the magnificent Stephen Gayford wildlife painting. Google search phrases gayford prints and Stephen Gayford poetry and also for Heaven and Earth Designs...