The Savage Spectacle

A poem from an anthropologist's point of view about those we study.

Who is he
He’s exotic
Erotic

Why are we
Impassioned
By the savage

What makes us
Stare
There

Into the
Cage
His rage

Is palpable
Yet we look
And write a book

About his
Exotic ways
Days

Of living
With him
And his kin

Become
Mere fodder
On my ladder

Of academic
Success
Unless

I become
His advocate
To eradicate

The prejudice
Of Western eyes
And their lies