Going to the Circus

I choose to ignore
the pain and the suffering
I choose to ignore
the evidence shown right in front of me
I choose to ignore
the abuse and exploitation

It's not my child
It's not my pet
they're not human
why should I care?

How can they feel pain?
Why should I care if it's not their normal behaviour?
As long as I can get my fill of entertainment

Never mind it's old fashioned
and there's so much better things I could do
including animal free circuses with no harm involved
never mind over 90% of the population want to see a ban
never mind most councils won't allow it on their land

I am the voice of the ignorant
I am the voice of those who refuse to care
I know I'm wrong
so I won't look
at the people standing silently holding their banners
when I get offered a leaflet
I'll drive so fast inside
I'll cause damage to my car

they choose to ignore
they choose not to care
they refuse to open their eyes

but we must continue
to be patient and educate
one day they will listen
and maybe join us too

29/8/10

Ode to Books I've Loved (and sometimes lost)

I can't remember a day when I didn't love reading a good book
There's nothing like curling up and turning the pages
of an epic thriller or an indulgent fantasy
imagining the scenes in your head
painting the colours in your mind
going to the library can be such a thrill
so many words lurk behind those covers
ready and waiting for my hungry consumption
books can go anywhere
no need for a plug socket
no no need for double a's
reading takes you on a journey
and you don't even have to move
you can continue the journey whenever you like
there's no rush to finish
although some books just can't seem to leave my hands
until they've come to a conclusion
favourite books are like old friends
always there for you
with their tattered pages
and worn out corners
some will make you smile
some will make you laugh
others may even make you cry
I want to thank you, books
for activating my imagination
inspiring my writing passion
filling in voids of boredom
spawning intense conversations
if you don't really read
might I suggest
you pick up a book
you never know, you may just plant a seed

14/8/10