Neitzsche's Donkey

That donkey
crying in the street;
I know him,
he lives with the gravelled man.

I hear him
beat him,
curse him:
"You lazy useless good-for-nothing!"

Is he
a superman?
Is he
the superman I'd hoped for?

At night
the donkey dreams
of paradise,
pastures lush and sweet
a love he'll never meet

until he's killed
by superman!
A godless master
Who beats because he can.

I'd tear up all my papers
if I knew the harm they'd cause
an act of kindness can do more
than words of cold philosophy.

© Mark Sheeky. Permission is required for reproduction.