I refuse to forget I am an animal;
neither saint nor sinner,
simply human, strong, yet frail.
I never trust those who sit
beside me in the pew
whose fate is writ in holy script,
while I search for the Holy Grail.
I cannot pretend to be born anew.
I was born of human parents,
good enough for me and you.
They filled me with faith in the ability
to be a better animal, as I grew.
So I try my best knowing I may fail,
never fearing when I do.
With animal power in my genes
through the jungle of life I pursue
a course which lets me take only what I need
with no plan to injure or deny
the needs of other animals
as we make our way side by side.
With neither cynicism nor regret,
I embrace my true nature and never forget
to find courage in an animal’s pride.
I know what I am, do you?
annarino writes 