As the opposing thoughts of joy (for a new beautiful foal born at the Sanctuary) and deep sadness for the Donkey so wronged recently on a Russian beach I wrote this poem.

I'm All Ears For Thee

I'm a new Donkey born!
To gentle community
At the Sanctuary I'll mature
With character, wisdom and sobriety.
But ancestral shadows weigh heavy
As the cross on my back
Writes a history of those
Who've known what I'll never lack.
I'll never lack love.
I'll never lack sleep.
I'll never lack food.
Kindness shared or given to me.
But I'll always be mindful
Of those who have less
Donkeys hungry and ill treated
Born with a thorn of death in their breast.
So for those who are gone
And the ones still here
Like Balthazar, Modestine, Benjamin
Gribouille, and Eeyore
All bear the truth of the Donkey
In human lore.
But it's my young heart
As my sad orbs will reveal
That you are my voice
You must remember and never lose hope
I'll be listening you see
As I'm all ears for thee.