Heartless Confinement
By Lance Landall
An Animal Rights Poem from All-Creatures.org

Heartless Confinement
By Lance Landall

They’re kept in a tiny cage, a prison, in other words, 
Incarcerated for life, never to be free, like other birds. 
And there, those birds will remain, till finally, there they’ll die, 
Yes, a heartless confinement, that no one can justify.

It’s no minor infringement, it’s acting inhumanely, 
It’s time folk stopped to think, as it’s cruelty, quite plainly. 
It’s just deriving pleasure, from some creature’s misery, 
In other words, enjoying yourself, very tastelessly.

Back and forth they hop each day, for what else can caged birds do? 
What a mindless existence, and so unnatural too. 
I’m sure it drives them crazy, it must have some ill effect, 
For after all, it’s a form of abuse, we all should reject.

No, birds weren’t meant to be caged, but rather, flying freely, 
Enjoying their habitat, yes, living naturally. 
They’re not toys or ornaments, they’re living creatures with rights, 
Thus, it’s wrong that their imprisonment, amuses and delights.

Not one creature should be caged, accept where necessary, 
And nor should humans either, be imprisoned wrongfully. 
It’s selfish, perhaps sadistic, keeping creatures in a cage, 
And should the tables be turned, oh, how loudly we would rage.

I’m not mincing my words, am I? And neither should I, friend, 
For caging innocent creatures, is a practice that should end. 
How can we, who champion freedom, not grant them freedom too; 
Surely that’s hypocritical, yes, behaviour that’s askew.

Please don’t become the warden of a prison in your home, 
A prison with an inmate, unable to fly or roam. 
Consider how you would feel, should you be kept in a cell, 
Just for someone’s enjoyment, completely against your will.