A plea from a cephalopod

Of course we are Fragile
in your world
our shared world
of course you destroy
you rein us in chain us up
trap us and capture us
you take away all our joy
some of you love us
some of you hate us
some pollute
even shoot
and we feel
caught up in your nets
in your hooks, oh! alas
imprisoned in tanks
why are you so crass?
why would we exchange
the blue open sea
for a smelly old tank
that’s not where we should be
and you sensitive families
with children must know
that when we are captured
we all do feel low
we die every moment
it just isn’t fair
so don’t come and see us
do tricks in the air
yes we are fragile
but, so are you
Let’s respect each other
as we respect you