A Donkey's Song Poem by Rajesh Thankappan

If I did have a neck
As long as that of a giraffe,
I would have teased all creatures
As puny little dwarfs.

If I did have wings and feathers
As beautiful as that of a peacock,
I would flaunt them at times
And with pride and pleasure, walk.

If I did have strength
As great as that of an elephant,
I would have bullied all the animals
And made them my servants!

If I had the swiftness
Of a cheetah or a leopard
I would have chased my prey
And struck them down like a wizard!

But God! please don't give me intelligence,
As sharp as that of a man
Since I wouldn't know what to do with it
Neither can I think of a plan!

(An alternate version of the ending stanza)

But God! please don't give me intelligence,
As sharp as that of a man
Since I might go berserk with it
And destroy all your designs and plans!