Humans, the Only Beasts

some want to treat them like animals

Others

but what are animals treated like

dogs on leashes, collars yanked to choke and pull them in the opposite direction

kicked and spit in the face if they bark or whimper in protest

abandoned on the street with no warm place to call home

cats declawed to keep them from scratching at closed doors

thrown into the pool drenching and making useless their protective coat

paws and tails stomped on to incite swift movement out of the way

lions forced to jump through flaming hoops, burned beyond recovery

whipped, hooked, prodded into submission by fools

who misunderstand eating, sleeping, defecating in the same small cage for months

communities described as being “treated like animals”

causes one to wonder exactly how creatures are handled in relation

the only answer:

Inhumanely