The Zoo

The elephant never forgets.
Africa sailed away
The forests burned
And all the streams went dry.
But as his great bulk turns
Within his tiny eye,
As if those wrinkles smiled,
The lowing song is heard.

The polar bear never forgets.
The arctic thawed apart
The water warmed
And all the cold fish died.
But as he roars alarm
And turns within his cage
His huge paws form
Their great applauding heart.

Even the turtle dove
Whose sky has lost its air
Does not forget
And from his wire bar,
Perched for that old wit
Of green and sun, stares out
On flying doves, and yet
Sings yet again of love.