Animal Crackers

We have the gaudy flamingos,

the noisy chimpanzees,

the untamed geese

and the proud lions.

Here you come to gawk at us,

pay your admission at the door.

We'll do our tricks, caw and roar on cue,

you'll clap and smile along.

We can't get away from this stage,

it is our exhibition.

It traps us, caging us in,

it is impossible to leave.

We hope you enjoy our spectacle,

we think it's quite wonderful,

not that we know any better.

We've rehearsed for too long for it to be anything else.

So come and watch us flap our wings,

catch a feather or two, see our claws,

our teeth, our fur.  The animal trainer

cracks his whip; welcome to our show.