SAMMI’S WEEKEND WRITING PROMPT
The challenge is simple: each week you will be given an exact number of words you can use to write a poem or piece of prose. You can use any format or style you like; go wherever your inspiration takes you. The only rules are these:
- your poem / prose must contain this week’s word (see note below). The word does not have to count towards the exact word count total – it can be in the title, or the first letters of the lines of a poem can spell it out – you can be as creative as you want as long as it’s there somewhere.
- the length of your poem / prose must match the number of words stated in this week’s challenge. No more. No less.
- A note on the word: you can use any variation of the word (for example: call, calls, calling, called etc). If you find you are struggling to use this week’s word you may substitute it for a synonym – just include a note to explain the swap. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!
MY RESPONSE
Small town zoo;
caged fox
pacing, pacing,
restless eyes darting,
blind to gawking humans.
Pacing, pacing,
driving me mad.
Christine's Collection 
Small town zoos reminiscent of the older large zoos, which have changed their habitats drastically recently. An excellent poem, and the rules well met!
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I’m so thankful conditions are not still like they were when I was a teen visiting this small zoo. It was a hot day and the caged animals were very lethargic or pacing incessantly in the heat.
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Such a sad scene.
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It really was. Small cages, bare floors, no shelter from staring people. Made me hate zoos. I was glad when this one was shut down a few years later. I’m so thankful that zoos, and attitudes about animal welfare in general, have changed, and for zoo keepers like Gerald Durrell.
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At last, people seem to be realising just how cruel many zoos are. Hopefully, they’ll go the way of performing animals in circuses.
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Yes, I think people have realized and zoo environments have changed a lot. I can see that zoos serve a useful purpose, preserving animals that, in the wild may well disappear. Poachers often won’t care if they kill the very last of some species. But I’m glad people are realizing animals need to have a humane environment where they can feel safe.
Thanks for your comment, Keith. I usually don’t write about such sad things but that’s where the sparks flew when I saw the prompt. 🙂
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