Decades of cruelty
\nWhere we wouldn’t expect it
\nKerala’s temple the holy abode
\nOf Vishnu on earth
\nIts unworthy road
\nIn this Hindu Temple
\nSuch tyranny there
\nIllicit handling
\nAnd such despair<\/p>\n
Such disrespect
\nSuch irreverence shown
\nTo the Indian Elephant
\nAnd tragically its known
\nThat a camp fairly close by
\nKarnataka is where
\nElephants are broken
\nAnd its never fair<\/p>\n
bound up and chained for years on end
\nBeaten with bars they cannot defend
\nAgainst all this squalor shackled like slaves
\nIgnored and unregarded
\nAs if disparaged knaves
\nThis is a holy place
\nIt is about
\nKindness and caring
\nBut, there is doubt<\/p>\n
And lots of it sadly
\nMahouts like to beat
\nWith the ankush the hooked stick
\nSuggest they entreat
\nTheir whole self to
\nWhatever the mahout desires
\nAnd the bruising is evident
\nAs are the fires<\/p>\n
That burn in these elephants hearts
\nFor they do
\nThey suffer and cry
\nAnd all of the crew
\nAre seen to use force
\nOn the shackled brigade
\nThere is much bitterness
\nAnd it is laid<\/p>\n
Fairly hard on the Elephants
\nFor years on end
\nthey are tied
\nUp and tortured
\nAnd it does depend<\/p>\n
On who sees and understands
\nAnd can comprehend
\nThrough the mists of religion
\nThat otherwise send<\/p>\n
Inclemency ahead of the herd
\nMuch unconsoling before each word
\nRelentless cruelty upon the hour
\nThere is no absolution nor grace
\nFrom this tower<\/p>\n
Nemesis surely is now so aware
\nAnd every misfeasance
\nThe elephants share
\nThe hook and the whack
\nAnd the pain of it all
\nAnd this in the Temple
\nOr sometimes the hall<\/p>\n
Without compensation
\nOr indemnity
\nSome really do get
\nThe third degree
\nSome cant stretch their hinds legs
\nTied to a stump
\nAnd all you can hear
\nIs their knackered heart, pump<\/p>\n
So much frustration
\nAnd so much woe
\nBeaten and slashed at
\nThe scars on them grow<\/p>\n
In this so called temple
\nWith joss burning free
\nA supposed sacrum
\nAnd sanctuary
\nA place of pilgrimage
\nThats what we hear
\nBut the cruelty
\nAnd the terrible fear<\/p>\n
Is very surprising
\nFor westerners who
\nOpen their eyes and see
\nAnd who do
\nWitness the cruelty
\nSee it first hand
\nAnd truthfully like me
\nJust don’t understand<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Decades of cruelty Where we wouldn’t expect it Kerala’s temple the holy abode Of Vishnu on earth Its unworthy road In this Hindu Temple Such tyranny there Illicit handling And such despair Such disrespect Such irreverence shown To the Indian … Continue reading