The Sad Zoo

3 January 2012
For a friend in need who felt no one could understand him...

I dreamt I was falling
Through black clouds and lightning
The wind tunnels swirling
I don’t know what to do.

Awake now, I look around
I’m lying helpless on the ground
No one around for me to be found
This is must be the sad zoo.

Do you know the sad zoo?
This is the sad zoo…

…This zoo moves.

My life appears normal,
The daily hum-drum routine draws on and on.
Yet, still I feel as if it’s not me doing it.
I am here, in the sad zoo.

I can see me eating, working, sleeping, living,
But from behind the glass of my enclosure.
This is my cage.  It is a mirror, but I can see through it.
I watch me like others watch me – nothing unusual or special here.

Yet I’m trapped in the sad zoo.
The sad zoo, which moves so I can follow me around,
Trapped behind this invisible barrier,
So thin you tell me it’s easy to break through…

…but I can’t.  
But who cares? Why do I matter?

Too many questions…
Why is this zoo empty?
How did I get here? Is it my zoo?
How did I become so normal? I’m NOT normal! I’M DIFFERENT!

Hmm…. My cage is soundproof.
Even I didn’t hear me. 
But I yelled, I know I did.  Is my voice really so small?

This zoo has been dug deep into my core.
I can feel it, like a black hole inside of me that keeps getting bigger.
Bottomless, empty, blackness, a pit.
I’m alone in my head.

I’m hungry, but food has no taste.
I’m thirsty, but the water feels dry.
I have sight, but the colours are faded.
I am able, but I can’t make myself move.

This is the sad zoo.
I am in the sad zoo…

…Come visit me?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A  Avatar
May 13, 2016 at 12:09 PM
Elaine, you write about zoo's WHY IS IT EMPTY? I do love your way of writing. excellent figurative writing. SKAT
Ho Avatar
May 13, 2016 at 12:16 PM
Thank you SKAT, I appreciate your kind words. Glad you enjoyed it!
Carter Avatar
February 23, 2016 at 9:16 PM
Another excellent piece...thanks for sharing!:)
Carter Avatar
February 23, 2016 at 11:19 PM
Hahaha, thanks so much, that piece is one of my favorites. I also look forward to following your work:)
Ho Avatar
February 23, 2016 at 9:18 PM
Thanks Daniel for your comments! Your piece 'Chimera' was quite excellent as well; it's not easy to write a piece that most people both enjoy and relate to (and I certainly related to it) - congrats, and thank you also for sharing! Looking forward to reading more of your work :). -Elaine
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace