Friday, August 07, 2015

Poetry Friday -- The Lion




Why Nobody Pets the Lion at the Zoo
by John Ciardi

The morning that the world began
The Lion growled a growl at Man.

And I suspect the Lion might
(If he’d been closer) have tried a bite.

I think that’s as it ought to be
And not as it was taught to me.

I think the Lion has a right
To growl a growl and bite a bite.

(read on at The Poetry Foundation to find out what the lion really wants...)


The lion who lives in our house is having trouble keeping food down this week. It's so hard when they can't tell you what's the matter and you have to guess. We're guessing we'll stay with an all chopped poached chicken breast diet for another day, and then maybe change brands of dry food.

Tabatha has the Poetry Friday roundup this week at The Opposite of Indifference.


11 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:39 AM

    Perfect poem for this week! I am sorry to hear that your lion is having trouble keeping his food down. :( Thank you for sharing this poem!

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  2. I'm sure your lion is enjoying the chicken diet! Mine can't keep seafood down. Maybe something like that is bothering yours?

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  3. Oh, this poem has me thinking about Cecil the lion, who certainly did have the right to growl and bite.

    I hope that your own kitty will be feeling better soon. Ours was sick last week and came out of it just fine in a couple of days - may it be the same for you. xo

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  4. Anonymous11:00 AM

    Sending healthy thoughts to your pet!

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  5. That John Ciardi knows how to write 'em, don't he? Hope your little lion feels better soon!

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  6. Hope your 'lion" is ready to bite something good very soon, Mary Lee. Thanks for Ciardi's clever ideas about our beginnings!

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  7. I couldn't help but think of Cecil, too. We need more poetry in the world to encourage empathy and kindness.

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  8. Poor lion. He just wants to be loved! I hope your fur baby is feeling better, Mary Lee.

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  9. Could your little lion be expressing his feelings about your long absence, now that you've returned? I understand much better, having watched the movie "The Last Lions," http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1692928/
    how much more intentional animals and especially cats can be. Thanks for the poem--I had forgotten how clever John Ciardi can be!

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  10. The rhymes in this seem so natural and unforced, I like the way it flows. My Skippy says "get well soon," as do I, to your lion friend.

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  11. I love this Ciardi poem. I hope your kitty is feeling better.

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