Dear Fellow Humans. Poem by Driss Ezzireg

Dear Fellow Humans.
Dogs, cats, birds, porcupines, snakes and even tigers
Are the poor creatures we keep in closed places;
at home or in a zoo,
To satisfy our fractured ego.
We think that by taking care of them:
feeding them, washing them, taking them to the vet.
We're doing them a favor.
I think we are wrong in doing so.
We've made slaves of them;
Wagging tails or deigning to eat the served food
is no sign of their expression of gratitude.
It may be an act of survival, an act of defiance,
A waiting for better days, a gesture of patience.
Animals and birds and creeping creatures
Are so touchy about their freedom.
Watch them in nature free and you'll see.
They'd rather starve than trade their freedom
For food, affection, comfort and the like.
It's up to us human despots to measure up
The depth, width and length of the damage caused
By our monstrous selfishness and act accordingly.
Free them immediately or commit collective suicide
If we are not able to live in harmony with ourselves
And the animal and bird communities that surround us.
Thank you all for reading this message.