caged youth

1998

wandering along a bank of
the Seine,


I saw these young dogs in 
glass cages,


some barked,


some waltzed with hysteria 
in sharp circles,


some were growing too big
and 


sat where they could


they could see through the cages 
these faces


black   white   yellow


passive 


and staring at them 
from beyond




1 puppy I took a liking to,


he was ugly, 
quiet,


he just sat there and watched the neighbouring
dogs twirl


and bark in their torment and
grief.


of all the images I could recollect
while


wandering along a bank of
the Seine,


it was this betrayed youth that
I will 


remember the most


© 1998, Brad Evans
61 Glenmere Close
Cherry Hinton, Cambs, UK