Creatures Great and Small

a poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

God sighed and life began
took all form and shape,
hence we are linked to all
living mortals.

Venomous snakes, bees that sting,
crocodiles, sharks,
donkey mules and elephants
are my next of kin.

Fair haired pigs with Nordic complexion,
the black skinned ones
and the pot bellied Asian pigs
are my dear brothers.

Bum licking dogs,
wanking apes (no bedroom for them),
have no sense of shame,
yet like me they feel pain.

You are of God’s breath,
in my mind I embrace you,
for in His eyes nothing is as bad
as human cruelty.