February 15th, 2003
Actually a political poem though it also stems from my love and admiration for rabbits, who're tougher than they look. This is probably the longest poem I've ever written.
O, little rabbit the world you live in
Is ruled by dogs who do not care for you
But who crave the taste of your blood on their tongues.
So you keep to yourself
You keep out of the way
And you watch as the dogs have it all their own way
Because you know if you speak up
They will tear out your throat and call it justice.
You teach your children peace
As they teach their children war
And when your children do not come home again
You weep and pray for the day
That dogs will learn the gentleness of rabbits
Until the day comes when you gather your anger
When you gather your courage to raise your voice
To stand up for what you hold dear
Though you know that your voice
Will be drowned in the clamour
That will rise when the dogs, finding they are challenged
Descend on your home, declaring you
Traitor!
Heretic!
Fool!
And lock you in a hutch
To dash your body
To break your bones
Against the walls of ignorance and hatred
Forever
To leave you weeping in the dark
Licking your wounds
But, little rabbit
That which destroys may someday destroy itself
And leave the world, finally,
Free.