The Return of the Animal

When the animal in me re-awoke
I was both amazed and dismayed
and when I felt the familiar stirrings
I glanced about myself in shame
would those around me notice 
the lust and the naked arousal
those things that make an animal.

When the animal in me re-awoke
I was both animated and distrustful
and when hunger rose to my senses
I sought out about me ravenously
would those around me notice
the gluttony and the keening appetite
those things that make an animal.

When the animal in me re-awoke
I was both appalled and disappointed
and when possessions appeared
I grasped about myself in haste
would those around me notice
the greed and the greater needs
those things that make an animal.

When the animal in me re-awoke
I was both annoyed and dispirited
and when inertia claimed my soul
I brought about my civil decline
would those around me notice
the sloth and the life dissipated
those things that make an animal.

When the animal in me re-awoke
I was both angered and disturbed
and when I lashed out at random
I slunk about sly in tactful terror
would those around me notice
the wrath and the cunning cowardice
those things that make an animal.

When the animal in me re-awoke
I was both awed and disgusted
and when the credit went to others
I learned about how to dissimulate
would those around me notice
the envy and the hurtful spite
those things that make an animal.

When the animal in me re-awoke
I was both anointed and displayed
and when all knelt before me
I cast about my target and my place
would those around me notice
the pride and the swaggering smile
those things that make an animal.

When the animal in me re-awoke
I learned I was not an animal, after all.