Ah, To Be an Ostrich!

Ah, to be an ostrich!

I'd bury my head in the sand.

I could remain oblivious

To what was going on in this land.

I'd hide from gnawing hunger

That showed on children’s faces,

And my total lack of involvement

Would leave no guilty traces.

 

Ah, to be a bear!

I’d hibernate in my cave

And wouldn’t worry about

Those whom I couldn’t save.

The lost and disenfranchised

Could struggle on their own,

While I stayed safe and sound

And slumbered all alone.

 

Ah, to be a turtle!

I would hide in my shell,

Ignoring world injustice

And abuses here as well.

When the power-grabbing wealthy

Tromped on the rights of the poor,

From such wrongdoing I’d hide

Behind my keratin door.

 

Ah, to be an eagle!

I'd soar across the sky.

Removed from worldly problems,

I’d never have to ask why

So many people killed others

Because of ideals so absurd.

I could maintain my distance.

How lucky to be a bird!

 

But being an ostrich is awkward

For people tend to stare

When your head's under the ground

And your butt sticks up in the air.

Being a bear can be hard,

For a cave can be damp and cold,

And not to mention lonely:

I guess that would get very old.

And about being a turtle--

And this is the honest scoop--

Your chances are very good

That you’ll end up in soup.

Finally, on being an eagle:

Though flying brings you great mirth

And you love high altitudes,

You still must come down to earth.

(4-2-14)