Adrian Manning on the
From the zoo to the playground
these men in the bars
murder beer bottles
and cheese sandwiches
they are vicious
killers
unleashed
let out of their cages
of employment
where they are tethered
at home they are pussycats
they smile at their children
speak gently to grandma
while their skin itches
with hot frustration
on the lunch hour and after work
they hit the
bars
spend their pay
drink more than their share
they scratch the itch
and show their teeth
they lose control
fight each other
in the bar room ring
I watch them
thinking
things could get
really messy
for everybody
if the zoos
ever close
© Copyright Adrian Manning 2007