I wake up: the sun lights up my day.                                         
Another day this prison; a place where I do not belong. As I open my eyes, it is the same as the day before:                      
these creatures on two legs gawp and point at me.                    
These 'things' wear extra skin on top of their normal skin.        
Why do they do this?

To start the day, I walk around. There is not enough space.               
I take a step and I'm in the corner. I feel thirsty, so I drink.           
But the water is murky and barely tastes natural. Polluted.       
There is little to do in the cage. So I sit around or walk about. Same as every day.                           
The only other thing to do is to let the watchers stare.                 
Some shine bright lights into my eyes. Blindness. My vision hurts. 
Some want to pet me. Little cubs reaching out.                             
Their faces are innocent, but I do not trust them.                         
Later on I get fed. The only good part of my day.                        
Good food.Yet I hunger every day.

I hear from the other prisoners about paradise. At night I visit it. Open areas where I can jump and run as I please.                
Freedom is gifted to me.                                                              ­          
No murky water. No two legged,                                                
clothed watchers to bother me every time I desire peace. Blue skies. No fences. Oh how I want to breathe fresh air, to see the promised land.

But freedom is miles away.

My entire life has been a prison.                                                          ­    
I ask the watchers: Why?                                                             ­      
Why do you imprison us? Why the cages?                                   
What have we ever done to you?                                                             ­                                       
Did we hurt you? No: but you hurt us.                                          
Every day is torture.                                                         ­                   

You crush me.

I wake. I drink. I watch. I sleep. I dream. Promised land.    
Promised land. Promised…