tongues wild garments bald door
Bared fangs and shrieks of many tongues
It went berserk
It went wild kicking and lashing
A bother to tame a wild mustang
though much less for an Alsatian
But it still draws much out of the minders
But it still draws much out of the minders
Basic ingredients
of courage and strength
Skills and animal sophistications
are of prime importance
to animal trainers
But the bald truth is too sick to stomach
The door to understanding animal
behavior is not easy to comprehend
Garments of truth in colorful forms
Discoveries Pavlov in nature
Conditioning behavior to sounds
were classic experiments
and classic examples
Elements of rewards to accomplishments
Depicted in animal shows
A fish thrown into the mouths of seals
Upon completing a routine
Tell us volumes to understanding them
Communicating is a constrain
Known and tested methods of
breaking resistance are
nurtured in very subtle ways
To get at winning over with the right means
is where equality is supreme in treatment
Whatever animals are not relevant
Equality of treatment in varying circumstances
would save the day
Written for Get Listed with Brendan at Real Toads and
shared with Susan's at Poets United's Mid-Week Motif
shared with Susan's at Poets United's Mid-Week Motif
These lines made me stop and think -
ReplyDelete"To get at winning over with the right means
is where equality is supreme in treatment"
maybe if we lived more not for winning, but treating everyone with equality we could all just get along!
Rightly so Robyn! It is more of wanting to bring it to a higher level and winning both ways!
DeleteHank
very powerful
ReplyDeleteYes, power has a lot to do with it, Power over animal behavior and strength!
DeleteHank
Nice. We brand anthorpomorphically, which just makes animals more human. Why do we priviledge the mustang over the dodo when we want to feel OK about driving too fast? The rear bumper should bear the likeness of Wiley E. Coyote with the postscript, "Whoops!", though that wouldn't help sell any cars.
ReplyDeleteHa! Imagine.
DeleteChuckles, blueoran! Yes, it runs fast not forgetting the road-runner as well! Perhaps 'Whoose...' too, which indicates some fast movements. Both might just sell for not saying the obvious, which some may like!
DeleteHank
whatever animal is irrelevant...i like that hank...realizing that it is not just human...it brings and interesting question to point in many parts of our lives....the pvlov touch in this was great as well
ReplyDeleteYes, covers both humans and animals as well. Both need reassurances!
DeleteHank
You have given us lots to think about here, Hank, in regard to the treatment of animals.
ReplyDeleteYes, it goes to show one must have feelings for them to make things a lot easier!
DeleteHank
Wildness and taming, Pavlov, rewards and breaking resistance--"right" could save the day--I remember thinking some of these things way back with the childhood novel BLACK BEAUTY. Powerful poem, Hank.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, being aware at such a young age. That is maturity!
DeleteHank
this required a few readings for me to get the full impact--subtle, attractive treatment of a subject about which many holler without restraint. well done!
ReplyDeleteIt can be interesting to watch from afar as the treatment of animals is taken to some, and how they treat each other, screaming for the hills sometimes
ReplyDelete'Garments of truth in colorful forms'....i love this expression..
ReplyDeleteIndeed the way we treat animals, as individuals or as society, says a lot about who we are.
ReplyDeleteThat is very true.
DeleteSo much to love!
ReplyDeleteGarments of truth in colorful forms - Truth is in the rainbow, the colour of commitment and forgiveness. Hope and love in abundance. I love this.
ReplyDeleteI love your line "winning over with the right means
ReplyDeleteis where equality is supreme" I ache for the way animals are treated by humans. Great topic, Hank! Thanks for shining a light on the non-speaking souls.
Taken down to the lowest common denominator of humanity or inhuman behavior.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hank
The animal trainers have a hard job to do and it can be really hard for the animals. Cruelty should never be the way.
ReplyDeleteWell-penned.
-HA
I have to agree with Leslie on the lowest common denominator.. great power in this poem Hank
ReplyDeleteLove the nod to Pavlov!
ReplyDelete“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
ReplyDelete― George Orwell, Animal Farm
It is sad when we humans become more animal than animals...powerful writing
ReplyDeleteFood for thought Hank, I was thinking of equality for animals ~ thanks for sharing ~
ReplyDeleteI dunno why this piece made me think of political events unfolding in my country. Equality of treatment for all! And I loved the line on the fish and the seals. Great read.
ReplyDeletewell spoken, Hank ~
ReplyDeleteequality of treatment in various circumstances - so true! perceptional
ReplyDelete