Tigers of Surabaya

Surabaya breeds neglect
its government not circumspect
heartless thoughtless
people who
think of themselves
they have no clue
of the wondrous Tigers in the zoo
pacing that’s what Tigers do

the conditions there
are worse than sad
filthy, smelly
really bad
tainted food
all are unwell
this place
is clearly
worse than Hell

many have died
poisoned by
the pesticides they
do apply
the walls are covered
in shit and grime
their waters rank
no where to climb

its pacing this way pacing that
biting the bars
that’s where they’re at
most of them now at
death’s door
which everyone seems to ignore

a forest creature
roams its place
for miles it wanders
and does chase
but here inside these
prison walls
laments its misery
as death calls

with his sickle
at his side
gleaming white
he mystified
to see such a wondrous
creature who
should be out there
in the blue

instead knocking
at death’s
door
youthful still
but feeling sore
bored out of her wondrous mind
and very close to going blind

Zoo’s are places
I won’t go
where wild animals are
put on show
in tiny places
its a sin
there whole lives
reduced to a bin
a prison cell
their world is screwed
and we are nothing short of crude