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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PRISONER, by JOSEPH O'CONNOR
First Line: In a cage of iron and stone
Last Line: To pelt with stones.
Subject(s): Animals; Bears; Prisons & Prisoners; Zoos
First Line: In a cage of iron and stone
Last Line: To pelt with stones.
Subject(s): Animals; Bears; Prisons & Prisoners; Zoos
In a cage of iron and stone,
Between the fountains
And the budding trees,
A massive bear ponderously
Shuffles all day long
From east to west,
From south to north,
From west to east,
From north to south,
Around his universe.
At moments he will stop
And push his head against the bars
To smell the trees and grass,
And follow with his eyes
The flight of the unfettered birds
Above the zoo.
O God, that tragic lust!
Dumb agony of eyes
And yearning throat oblivious
Of the stench and clamor of my race
That has immured him here
For hapless brats
To pelt with stones.
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