Stuck ---------- Contest Entry
Harlow's Pit
The pit succeeded. Harlow's toy
infected all with doubt.
Alone, the young macaques despaired
in bins with no way out.
The pit was steel, with sloping walls
some food, a grate, and spout.
No mother's love while growing up
just fear with no way out.
The pit was made to last. For years
the world began to shout,
but Harlow grinned and left them there
in pain with no way out.
The pit was Harlow's own design,
a sadist wit quite stout.
He felt the cancer eat his wife
and love with no way out.
September 1, 2017. (based on accounts of Dr. Harry Harlow's experiment 'put of despair' to inflict despression on infant macaque monkeys by keeping them for years in isolation chambers). Written for Sara Kendrick's contest "Stuck."
Copyright © Jack Webster | Year Posted 2017
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