June 04, 2015

Poem: Cattle for slaughter













As walked by a farm
I noticed a new herd in the enclosure
Till recently a flock of sheep
Used to occupy the same pasture

They acknowledge my presence
And within minutes
All rushed
Towards the fence

From this proximity
I could clearly see
Yellow ear tags
They were bred and fed
As cattle for slaughter

It was their fate
To end up on a plate
Ephemeral life as captive
Unaware of hereafter
A cattle for slaughter

Further ahead
I chanced upon a deer
It moved away from me
towards the wild
It was untamed and free

On my way back I had a choice
To walk through a fenced pasture
With another sedate herd grazing
Or take longer route
Within I was clatter for slaughter
Outside I was a deer

Didcot 3rd June
© Ratish