Inspired by my good friend, Lon Anderson...
Gold edged plate, lamb in mint sauce.
Belly full, appetite satisfied
by the skill of gourmet chef.
But I never dare contemplate
what it is I'm actually ingesting:
this succulent flesh -
muscle tissue of young mammal
that will nourish my cells
yet, paradoxically,
stunt my spiritual growth.
This processed grass
that once enclosed a Soul
so trusting of mankind
for the whole of its life - so short a life -
until farm track led to abattoir
and mass annihilation.
Pausing at the boundary of lush green field.
A solitary lamb approaches
inquisitively, without fear.
Our eyes meet across electric fence:
two identical,
yet differently manifested Spirits.
And my hands drip blood.
Gold edged plate, lamb in mint sauce.
Belly full, appetite satisfied
by the skill of gourmet chef.
But I never dare contemplate
what it is I'm actually ingesting:
this succulent flesh -
muscle tissue of young mammal
that will nourish my cells
yet, paradoxically,
stunt my spiritual growth.
This processed grass
that once enclosed a Soul
so trusting of mankind
for the whole of its life - so short a life -
until farm track led to abattoir
and mass annihilation.
Pausing at the boundary of lush green field.
A solitary lamb approaches
inquisitively, without fear.
Our eyes meet across electric fence:
two identical,
yet differently manifested Spirits.
And my hands drip blood.
oh dear Ygraine you are outstanding in your expressions!
ReplyDeletemessage in your poem wetted my eyes
Oh thank you, my dear Friend...so much!
DeleteI am really happy you enjoyed...☺☺
Big Hugs xoxo
Sadly, powerfully true.
ReplyDeleteOh if only it weren't!😔
DeleteThank you so much for understanding... xoxo
Ygraine MY GOOD FRIEND, thanks so much for giving me recognition to your inspiration! What you wrote, was written so well!
ReplyDeleteYou always inspire me wth your posts, Lon...and in this case, you brought one of my deepest emotions to the surface...one that I had been suppressing for far too long.
DeleteI just can't eat meat any longer.
I will be cooking my own meals separately from now on.
Oh thank you SO much! ☺☺
Have a wonderful day!
Wonderful. So much easier if not considering when alive..
ReplyDeleteYes, I find that too.
DeleteIt certainly is easier to accept a piece of meat pre packed on a supermarket shelf...than to see a whole animal, alive and breathing.
When I cook for my family, I have to consciously close my mind to what I'm doing...and even those efforts often fail miserably.
Guess, I'm just too sensitive...😢😢
Many thanks, Anthony!
Very dramatic and written as only you can write my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to eat lamb... I've never even tasted it. I never will.
But your words are superb and the tile perfect!!!
Big Hugs and Much Love 💕
That should have been title :)
DeleteOh thank you, Dearest Jan...I so appreciate your kind words! ☺☺
DeleteHaha...so relieved to know I'm not the only one to make the occasional mistake! 😉😉
Lots of love and hugs xoxo
Very well written ...
ReplyDeleteSending my good wishes for the new week ahead.
All the best Jan
Oh thank you, Jan...so much! 😊😊
DeleteWishing you a fabulous week too...
Big hugs xoxo
Wow, this is so powerful!! Very sad and very true!!!
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs!
Oh Sweetie...my heartfelt thanks!!
DeleteWishing you a great week...and hoping you enjoy the Super moon!
All my love and hugs xoxo
wow, very powerfully stated and yet subtle too. i am inching my way towards giving up all meat.
ReplyDeleteOh how I am trying too, Sandy!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I eat any, I feel so bad...and yet...sometimes the cravings overwhelm me.:(
Thank you so much.:))