A Lone Dolphin's Tale

I am kept behind a restaurant. I no longer swim the ocean free. I cannot come and go as I want. I was taken away from my family. I am land locked in a stagnant, Dirty pool of water. My only companion and friend, Is an "inflatable toy" alligator. This my "owners" gave to me. But what I am not sure is, Was it meant to keep me company? Or to entertain the tourists? I guess it gives them pride and joy, To show me off each week. "See our dolphin play with his toy." I am just a side-show freak. On the front door hangs a sign, To bring the patrons in. It reads: "Come in, sit, and dine, Eat with a real dolphin." They sit down and gawk at me, Just for a second or two. They say "Oh, how neat", Or "Isn't he cute." Then they forget about me, As each turn to feed their face. Not a care for my fate to be, If I lived or died in this place. Each totally oblivious, of all the pain I feel. Sick and tired of Loneliness, With wounds that will never heal. But then what chance have I, To ever again be free. When you even treat your own kind, The same way that you treat me. *Dedicated to a lonely spirit imprisoned in Florida, as seen on the PBS show "Nature".